That interview appeared the morning after Cathy and I had witnessed the traditional Good Friday processional in Santa Cruz. The scene was unforgettable as a glass coffin with a figure of the crucified Christ made its way through the weeping multitude that packed the city’s streets, followed by an uplifted statue of Mary cloaked in black. Searching the morning paper to read the Church’s view on that highly cultural experience, I found instead an interpretation of the events of Calvary that did not align with my understanding of Scripture: Since Plan A failed, God opted for a new Plan B that gives us a fresh opportunity to discover the way of Christ.

     Before you write this off as the unenlightened opinions from another culture, or perceived errors of Roman Catholic theology, it is important to realize that similar teachings exist among many who identify themselves as North American evangelicals. Recently I came across the following opinion from a pastor of a major denomination:

     He is not alone. Over the past few weeks I have read a number of articles and comments from Christians who are "rethinking" the meaning of Christ’s death. Was the crucifixion an act of martyrdom, pure murder, injustice on the part of political and economic oppressors, or the plan of God? Is a doctrine of the atonement, which declares that Christ shed His blood to placate the wrath of God, consistent with a God of love? Is an understanding of "the finished work of Christ" necessary for salvation?

     We must take these questions seriously. Since the Cross of Christ is central to Christianity, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of this pivotal event. And since God has charged the Church, the Body of Christ, with the task of proclaiming the message of the Cross to the world, we dare not ignore these challenges or chalk them up as misguided or "liberal theology." Rather, we need to follow the example of the Bereans of Acts 17:11, who "received the word with all readiness. . . and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

In this first in a series of articles on the Cross, we will examine the issue raised by Cardinal Terrazas: Was the Cross an indication that God’s original purposes had gone awry? Was it an execution by the political and economic leaders of the day, both Roman and Jewish, who were threatened by Jesus’ seemingly greater power? Or was the crucifixion, in fact, the purpose of God from the beginning?
 

Finding Our Answers on the Emmaus Road

     Two disciples were grappling with these questions when Jesus interrupted their conversation on the road to Emmaus. I find it interesting that their conclusions in Luke 24 were strikingly similar to positions we can still hear today: (a) Jesus came from God with teachings and a life that show us a better way (v. 19); (b) although He was accepted by "God and all the people," Jewish ruling powers joined with Roman authorities to crucify Jesus (v. 20); (c) the original plan was thwarted as expectations that Jesus somehow fulfilling God’s kingdom purposes were now dashed (v. 21). At this point in the narrative some modern theologians would insert that a new plan was introduced through the resurrection. The Emmaus disciples, however, were further confused by news of the empty tomb (v. 22-24).

     Jesus quickly corrected these bewildered disciples by saying that their Scriptures – our Old Testament – demonstrated that the crucifixion was not only part of the original plan, it was an essential part. "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" (v. 25-26). Jesus stated clearly that it was necessary for Messiah to suffer death prior to the fulfillment of God’s kingdom purposes (see also 1 Pet. 1:10-11).

     These two disciples were led on the journey of their lives as their risen Christ walked them through the Old Testament, teaching how Moses and the Prophets clearly prophesied of both His sacrifice on the Cross and His glory. Their mistake was anticipating the glory, leaving them disheartened when Jesus did not immediately establish His kingdom. What they had missed was the fact that their Holy Scriptures detailed not only Messiah as Redeemer-King, but also as sin-bearer.

     What might have been included in their crash-course in prophecy? Everything! Perhaps Jesus started with Genesis 3:15, the initial promise of a Savior, foretelling that the Messiah would have his heel bruised but that by it the serpent’s head would be crushed. Among the great prophetic writings would have been the stirring promises in Isaiah 53 of the suffering servant, "pierced for our transgression. . . crushed for our iniquities. . . and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."

The Determined Plan of God

     The point is this: Jesus taught and the Scriptures confirm that there always existed just one divine plan of which the crucifixion of Christ was an integral part. Peter made that clear in his Pentecost address when he said, "[Jesus], being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death" (Acts 2:23, NKJV). God did not have a vague, indistinct plan left up to the capriciousness of man. His purpose that Christ should suffer for sin was determined and defined.

     Some recoil at the notion of blaming God for the cruel actions of sinful men. It’s important to note that Peter is not exonerating Jewish or Roman authorities who brought about the crucifixion. Read it again: you [Jews] have taken [Jesus] by lawless hands [Romans],. . . have crucified, and put to death. They were guilty and accountable for rejecting and executing the Messiah. But none of this happened outside of the set plan of God for man’s salvation. Though we may not clearly understand how these two factors join together, Scripture is clear that those men were accountable for their actions while, according to divine plan, "it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer" (Isa. 53:10).

     Jesus Himself taught that His death was not ultimately in the hands of others; He would voluntarily lay down His life and take it up again (Jn. 10:17-18). The Gospels record occasions in which Jesus’ enemies wanted to put Him to death, but they were unsuccessful "because His time had not yet come" (Jn. 7:30). One such amazing account had an angry synagogue crowd in Nazareth set to throw Jesus off a cliff, but because His time had not come "he walked right through them and went on his way" (Lk. 4:28-30).

     When the time did come for Jesus to lay down His life, the fulfillment of the divine plan propelled Him toward the Cross:

God’s Amazing Eternal Purpose

     The Cross was not the tragic outcome of God’s plan gone awry. Christ’s death was not the result of political intrigue that Jesus could neither understand nor control. The Son of God clearly understood and was resolute in accomplishing the purpose for which He came into the world – to seek and to save what was lost by giving his life as a ransom (Lk. 19:10; Mk. 10:45). As Paul clearly states, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Tim. 1:15).

     That doesn’t mean Israel was mistaken in her hope for the Messiah to be their Redeemer-King. As we saw earlier, the suffering of Christ did not disrupt the potential kingdom; it was necessary for Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross to precede His glory. Following resurrection, Jesus spent forty days teaching His disciples, leaving them with the hope of His return to restore the kingdom to Israel. That portion of God’s plan has a future fulfillment, possible because of Christ’s death and resurrection.

     In the mean time, for us today, the Cross speaks of the love and grace of God, "who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (2 Tim. 1:9-10, NKJV).

     God’s eternal purpose is amazing! We can rest assured that He will see it accomplished just as He has revealed it to us. The wonder of it all is that, knowing our sinfully rebellious hearts, God would offer us eternal salvation and an inheritance with Him through faith in the crucified and risen Christ – not because of what we have done, but because of His purpose and grace.

     What is your personal response to His eternal purpose? Have you trusted in Christ’s work on the Cross for your salvation? Are you through word and action sharing the Gospel of His grace with those around you? And are you living your life for Him? Remember, "He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again" (2 Cor. 5:15).
 

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