The provisions of the cross
Galatians 1:1-5 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Our replacement
When we want to buy something and the product is out of order or defective, we are given a replacement – something of equal worth in hopes it will satisfy us (often it will be replaced with something of greater value). But in the world of spiritual things, such as our salvation, the replacement for us was of much greater value and it was not a customer/businessman relationship, but one of a gracious God to unworthy people.
We often say “Jesus took my place” and the song writer says, “I have should have been crucified . . . “Paul tells us that Jesus was our replacement in the crucifixion (Gal 2:20). He literally took our place on the cross.
Secondly, He was our replacement in the curse (Gal 3:13). God cursed the ground and all of creation groans under this curse (Rom 8:22; Isa 24:4-6), which will be lifted in the kingdom (Isa 65:17-24; Rev 22:3).
Redemption
Redemption consists of several things and areas of our life. The first is Remission of sins (Eph 1:7) – there is no remission (forgiveness) of sins unless there is the shedding of blood. Christ shed His blood on the cross so that we may be forgiven.
Second, the cross provided the destruction of the partition between us and God and the people of God (Eph 2:11-14). Sin had created a barrier between us and the blessings and covenant of God, but that wall was torn down by the cross.
Third, we are reconciled to God by the cross (Eph 2:16), taking away the enmity between us and God -- Christ satisfied the justice of God so that we might have peace with God (Ro 3:25).
Fourth, we are made a temple for and of God with the residence of His Spirit within us (Eph 2:19-21). God dwelt in the tabernacle and temple in Old Testament times because the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sin. Now, with the death of Christ and His shed blood, our sins are taken away and God can indwell us and we can become His temple.
Our Example
Jesus provided an example for us in this life by His death on the cross. The cross provided us with the ultimate example of humility, obedience, surrender, endurance and faith (Phil 2:5-11; Heb 12:2, 3; Jn 13:5)
Victory
Christ did not come just to save us and then leave us to fend for ourselves in this sinful world. But, He gave us the victory through His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead (1 Cor 15:57). The indwelling holy Spirit now give us power to live above sin in a sinful world.