God gave a covenant to Israel when He had delivered them from Egyptian bondage, but through their unfaithfulness they broke the covenant (Jer. 31:32). However, God in His mercy and forbearance made a new covenant (Heb. 8:6-12 cf. Jer. 31:31). Though sins were remembered every year in the Levitical sacrifices of the old covenant (Heb. 10:3), under the new covenant God no more remembers sins (Jer. 31:34; Heb. 8:12; 10:17). What is remembered now is Christ’s death. This remembrance is made by means of the Lord’s Supper every week (Mt. 26:26; 1 Cor. 11:24, 25). Here are some reasons that this death, which brought our deliverance, should be remembered as a focal point in the entire history of God’s dealings with man:
The blood of Christ shed on the cross cleanses the conscience in a complete way that could not be achieved merely through old covenant rituals (Heb. 9:9, 14). The sacrifices under the old covenant were an illustration of the cost of sin that pointed toward the perfect sacrifice of Christ for the remission of sins (Heb. 9:22, 23). The blood of Christ not only cleanses us today who live after His death, but also covered those who lived before His death. Hebrews 9:15 speaks of Jesus as the Mediator of the new covenant; however, it also acknowledges His death was for “the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant.” In the mind of God—Who sees all human history at once—forgiveness and salvation could be extended in every age based upon the death of Christ. Even though Jesus lived and died in a particular historical moment that occurred after centuries of human history had already transpired, Jesus is the one “whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed” (Rom. 3:25). While the particulars of obedience varied from the old covenant to the new, God’s grace—extended through Christ’s death on the cross to those who would respond in faith and obedience—has always been the means of salvation.
Not only should the cross be a focal point of human existence collectively, it also should be the focal point of the life of each individual. Life is often tragic. Suffering comes our way. If we are not prepared for it in our mindset, then we can really be thrown off course. Peter was a witness of the sufferings of Christ (1 Pet. 5:1); moreover, he was with the Lord when the Supper was established. Consider the inspired reminders the apostle Peter had for those who are suffering. Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow in His steps (1 Pet. 2:21). Christ suffered for our sins; He suffered even though He is just and we are unjust. Why? To bring us to God (1 Pet. 3:18). Remember this when you are suffering. And when you are tempted to sin, remember since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, we should arm ourselves with the same mind and cease from sinning (1 Pet. 4:1). Remembering Christ’s suffering gives meaning to my life, helps me to be grateful, and deters me from sin. This is why I should continually remember Christ’s death on the cross.
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