Every year I take a trip out to Colorado or Wyoming with a group of guys with Flatline Adventures. We spend time hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and have some great adventures. Of all the beautiful scenery that I have seen on these trips over the last 7 years, one sticks in my mind. When at Jones Park in Colorado Springs, we hike down from the place we set up camp, and there high up on the mountain is a clearing that allows you to see across the state of Colorado. On a clear night you can see every light in the big nearby cities. It is a magnificent light show that shimmers in the beautiful view. It is one of the coolest sights. I would imagine if that city were on top of the mountain lighting it up, it would be just as spectacular from ground level, and visible for miles and miles.....
Last time I shared about the truth of our salvation, how God’s Spirit lives in us, our new identity, and how we are seen just as Christ is seen by God. Today, I will continue in this 5 part series as we look through the eyes of Christ on calvary, and talk about this light that is not hidden, but put on display for all to see.
Luke 11:33 No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.
At the time, many saw Jesus death on the cross as the end, defeat, and no more, but in actuality His death and resurrection were the decisive blow against Satan, taking back life, overcoming death, and redeeming all of mankind. Jesus looked at the cross with joy set before Him because He knew the result.
Hebrews 12:2 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
The joy set before Him was knowing that you and I would have the chance to be saved and redeemed. His love is so deep and burns so intensely for us that He willingly endured one of the most agonizing deaths imaginable so that we may have life abundant.
Christ made a public spectacle of this decisive blow against Satan so that all of creation in Heaven, Hell, and earth could see the triumph over all powers and authorities, by the power of the Cross.
Colossians 2:13 “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities. he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
Jesus pursued the hill carrying his cross with the joy set before him of freeing mankind from death and separation from God. He carried the heavy planks that he would give his life on to the top of the hill for the very people that were beating him, spitting on him, hurling insults, and cursing His name. Jesus was the light on the hill, proclaiming victory over the sin of all mankind, once and for all. Jesus was a light set on a high place for all to see and for God’s glory to shine, even in mankind's darkest hour. (Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”)
As people were mourning and wailing for Jesus as he was being led to the cross, Jesus said in Luke 23:28 not to weep for him, because he knew the victory and triumph that was about to take place in his death and resurrection.
In Matthew 27:40 some scoffers were yelling at him “Come down off the cross if you are the Son of God.” But really, Jesus stayed on the cross because He is the Son of God, knowing his sacrifice was necessary to save mankind. The sin of mankind separated us from God, but because of Christ sacrifice we can be united with Him through the salvation offered us by God’s grace. Romans 6:23 - For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord. (AMP)
This is the Gospel, the good news of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. It is the power of God that has given us salvation, and is the light that is put on display for all to see. Jesus made a public spectacle of it, so that it may shine through us, as our body is the lamp.
Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God’s power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance
Join me next time for the third part of this series, The Eye Is The Lamp Of The Body, as we look at the next verse of this parable. Luke 11:34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness.
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