It Happened at the Cross

“When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 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. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.” Colossians 2:13-15

Although crosses adorn our church steeples and their likeness is printed, woven, or worn in a variety of fashions, there often is only a vague knowledge of the true meaning of the cross. What really happened at the cross? What does it mean for someone today? Is it all that important?

The cross of Christ is where the three mortal enemies of mankind - sin, death, and the devil - were confronted and defeated by the Son of God. Jesus died for your sins, those actions which are contrary to God’s character and that separate you from God’s holy presence. Jesus took your sins on Himself at the cross. He bore God’s judgement of death on your behalf, as your substitute. God’s uncompromising wrath against sin was satisfied.

At the cross, Satan and his powers were crushed. They still exist, but their fate is sealed; and the Christian has Christ’s authority over the devil. You have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light, from the dominion of sin to the dominion of God (Acts 26:18).

The next time you look at the cross, wear it around your neck, or see its imprint, remember that it was at Calvary where sin was judged, death slain, and the devil conquered.