When we look at the cross, our tendency is to focus on the price Christ paid for the forgiveness of our sin. While forgiveness was an important result of the crucifixion, it was not the only outcome. The cross changed the whole context of our world–it was the beginning of a new covenant which, when fully implemented, will completely destroy the kingdom of evil. Understanding the fullness of just what Christ accomplished is important mainly because we have a job to do here in our world.
    First, let’s look at the outcomes of the cross for Christ himself. While he was ministering with his disciples, he mentioned several times that he was going to be killed and that he would be raised from the dead on the third day (example–Matthew 17:23). Christ knew, going into the crucifixion, that his death was going to be temporary. As Hebrews 12:2 tells us, Christ endured the shame of the cross for the joy that was set before him. Let me repeat that, Christ gave his life temporarily because of the joy that was set before him. After doing the most difficult thing any human being has or will ever be asked to do–knowingly letting go of his oneness with God–Christ received joy. What were the results that brought Christ joy? First, the knowledge that he singlehandedly destroyed Satan’s power to keep the human race from cleaving to God. Second, his reunion with his Father and the re-establishment of their oneness. Third, his position on the right hand of God, a position that Satan had coveted before he chose to let go of God. Fourth, the right to give gifts to human beings to enable them to overcome the kingdom of evil (Ephesians 4:8). And, finally, the promise that his enemies would be put under his feet (I Corinthians 15:25). So, the outcomes of the cross for Christ can be summed up in one word–joy!
    Next, let’s consider the outcomes of the cross for Satan and his kingdom. In I Corinthians 2:7-8, Paul stated that if the princes of this world (indicating the kingdom of evil) had known the plan that God and Christ had worked out, they would not have crucified Christ. Satan and his kingdom had no idea of what was going on behind the scenes of the crucifixion. At the moment that they were rejoicing because they thought they had thwarted the power of God’s love by crucifying His son, the foundation of their reign on earth was knocked out from under them. When Christ became sin and sin died along with Christ, they suffered a major defeat–no longer was there a wall between God and the human race. The only “advantage” they had left was the fact that each individual still had a choice between life and death (Deuteronomy 30: 15-20). Satan had to put another plan into motion; as long as he and his minions could convince people that the wall was still there, that there were too many obstacles between them and God, that God didn’t care about them, or that God didn’t even exist, he still stood a good chance of wiping the human race off the face of the earth. So,after Christ was resurrected, Satan immediately began to sow seeds of deceit in order to blunt the power of Christ’s death (Matthew 28:11-15).
    Finally, let’s think about the outcomes of the cross for the human race. For this part of our discussion, I’m going to distinguish between the people that had died before the cross and those who have come after the cross. Matthew 27:52-53 tells us that as Christ died, not only was the veil of the temple ripped in two from top to bottom, but also the graves were open and many bodies of the saints arose to appear to many people after Christ’s resurrection. Remember a couple of posts ago when I explained that the dividing wall between God and the human race extended into death and that Paradise was “next” to Hades? Well, when Christ obliterated the dividing wall through his death and then was resurrected, Paradise moved to the third heaven (II Corinthians 12:2-4). That move was what Paul called “leading captivity captive” (Ephesians 4:8). So, those who had served God until their deaths were finally reunited with Him.
    Now, as far as those people who have come after the cross are concerned, Christ’s death on the cross has given the human race the right and the way to overcome the kingdom of evil. Now, a valid question arises–if Christ destroyed Satan’s power, then why is evil abounding in our world and why have believers continued to die? The simple answer is that Satan has succeeded in nurturing deception in our world and that we believers have not known how to turn the potential energy of Christ’s death into kinetic energy that will bring the fullness of the new covenant to pass.  In other words, after 2000 years of Satan’s lies, we still have not fully accessed the knowledge, understanding, and wisdom that we need from God to put Christ’s enemies under his feet and to defeat the last enemy of all–death (I Corinthians 15:24-26). That is about to change!
    In the next series of posts, we are going to discuss the process of becoming sons of God (which includes men and women). As Romans 8:19 (NASB) states, “For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.” This revealing of the sons of God will facilitate the complete obliteration of Satan and his kingdom of evil. And this can come none too soon!
    As always, please feel free to comment and be respectful.
    ©2009-2010 by Patricia Zell. All rights reserved.
