Why Did It Have To Be The Cross?

The Cross…I’m guessing that just by reading those two words you experienced a wave of emotions and words that few others can conjure up.  The Cross stands for so much; freedom, love, mercy, sacrifice, loyalty, beauty, etc.…. but why did it have to be the cross?“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).  The bible goes on to tell us that he made man and women in his own image to rule over his creation.  “The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind” (Psalms 115:16).  However we all know how the whole, “ruling over the earth” thing goes, right? The disgusting serpent slithers up to Eve and tempts her into eating the fruit from the tree of good and evil and offers some to Adam (who was standing there the whole time mind you).This is how Satan became the prince of the world.  Yes, the prince of the world, the ruler of everything around us.  Even Jesus acknowledges he is the prince in John 14:30 – “I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me.”Knowing this gives Luke 4:5-7 a whole knew meaning when we read about satan tempting Jesus with all the kingdoms of the earth;

“The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. ⁶ And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. ⁷ If you worship me, it will all be yours.” (NIV)

The reason Satan could offer all the kingdoms of this world is because we, the human race, handed the keys over to him.  But Satan knows that this Jesus character is a real threat to him.  Why else would he offer up all the kingdoms he has authority over?However, a tectonic shift in the spiritual world is about to take place; a battle like no one has ever seen before.  Jesus was here to win it all back to the rightful owner, a script made for Hollywood.  Through his life of perfect obedience to the Father, through the righteous atonement for our sins by way of the cross, Jesus totally disarmed the fallen angel’s army.After Jesus' death on the cross he descended into the pit of hell roaring like a lion.  As he walked up to satan he firmly planted his finger into his chest and demanded that the keys to the souls of his beloved children be returned.  I can only imagine the fire and ire in Jesus’ eyes in that moment.  Satan had no choice but to obey his orders and wimp-ily hand the keys over.That’s John Wayne X1,000,000 type of stuff right there!  And do you know what Jesus does right after all this happens?  He goes back to earth to celebrate and hang out with his friends and tell them the good news.  The good news indeed!If you haven’t given your life to Christ yet I urge you to seriously consider it.  For the bible tells us that we will not know the time of his return.  If he does return and you haven’t given your life to him the verdict will be an eternity in hell.  And not the Hollywood version of hell, but literally spending an eternity in a pit of fire.  If you are ready to take the step of faith please read the prayer below;Dear heavenly Father, I want to take this moment to submit my life to you. I ask that you forgive me of my sins, which such a gracious gift is given only through your anointed blood on the cross. You died for me and I accept your gift of love, mercy, grace, peace, and eternal life. With faith I declare that Jesus Christ now lives in me forever and ever. Amen!Welcome to the team friend! The next step is crucial to your salvation; Tell someone the decision you just made. Feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this post, email us here at paradigm shift (Info@DailyPS.com), or call/text your family and friends.

Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes (NIV)