We are continuing our study of the Doctrine of the Cross. As you have learned, The Lord Jesus Christ was born to die on the Cross in order to redeem mankind. Everything else in His life — like His being a King and like His being the Son of God — should never take us away from understanding why He died on the Cross. Now, one of the greatest announcements ever made about our Lord was by John the Baptist in JOH 1:29: The next day he [John, the Baptist] saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!  This statement covers one very important  subject - sacrifice. 

Without a doubt, many of the Jewish people perfectly understood John the Baptist’s announcement. There had been a powerful awakening among the Jews because of his preaching on the horrors of sin and the warnings of judgment. This was all part of God's plan to point out sin in the lives of people so that they would recognize their need for “the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world.” As John the Baptist was preaching on sin and condemnation and guilt, he was setting people up for the answer — for the solution — which is, of course, the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ!

When you’re studying the subject of John the Baptist and The Lord Jesus Christ, our Lord's water baptism has to be looked at. Many churches emphasize the act in order to teach that water baptism is the means of salvation. This is FALSE doctrine.  MAT 3:13-16 gives us an account of our Lord's water baptism: Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him. After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him. What’s so very  important to note is that the reason why our Lord agreed to take part in this ritual was to announce the coming of the Cross. He let John baptize him to teach us. He used the water baptism as a means to announce His oneness with and love for sinful man. Today (just as in John the Baptist's day), people look to water baptism for salvation.  But the power of God is not in water baptism. The power of God is in the Cross!! Water baptism was a teaching aid used to point to the Cross.

When our Lord's ministry first began, He did not reveal that he was the Son of God. He did not reveal He was a King. And He did not reveal he was a Prophet. His introduction came perfectly from John who could not have announced Him in any other way except as "the Lamb of God". Any other title would have misled everyone from the real meaning of what was taking place, which was that the Sacrifice had come!

As you might have guessed, Satan tried to blind the people to whom Our Lord spoke,  and he’s trying to do the same thing with people today. This is why some people are

called “enemies of the cross.” This is taught by the apostle Paul: For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ. (PHI 3:18)

Sadly, The Cross is not a popular message in many churches today because of these lies of Satan. So many churches, in deception, teach the importance of human works and religion. This too is FALSE doctrine!

If man thinks he doesn’t need a solution to sin, then of what value is Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away sin?! What value is the Cross?! This is Satan’s favorite lie! Satan loves to blind people to the truth of the Cross because that’s where he was defeated once and for all!  Having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. (COL 2:14)

So, the Cross was our Savior's most important objective. Men are born to live but our Lord Jesus Christ was born to die — on our behalf! He is our only hope because there is no hope in mankind. Or in Satan’s world!!

Because of Our Lord’s Work on the Cross, the most important thing in the life of any person on earth is his or her relationship with God. It’s also the most important thing for a nation! Always remember, your relationship with God is the key to everything! Don’t every forget this. Don’t lose sight of it for a moment! And your relationship with God lies in your understanding of the Cross. 

God has given each of us time, talent, and treasure with which to worship and serve Him. Think about that. One of the problems in the church today is that so many people misuse the talents that God has given them. Very few use what God has given  them to bring glory to Him. Fewer use their God-given gifts to support their churches.

        There is a great danger in taking the talents and treasure which God has given you and using it only for your  own ambitions. You have no spiritual life if you do this.  You have no real relationship with God if this is how you live your life. When your goals line up exactly with The Father's will, you will then understand the Cross and its power. Never forget that your greatness lies in your understanding of the Cross.