SUNDAY MARCH 21ST, 2021

MEMORY VERSE: - “But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

INTRODUCTION: - What happened at the cross? This is a question any average Christian can answer. After all we were taught right from kindergarten and even in catechism that Jesus Christ died for our sins on the cross of Calvary.

How did He die? They nailed Him to the cross at His hands and feet. Then He spoke seven significant statements before He gave up the ghost.

But much more than these took place at the cross. Indeed on that old rugged cross where the Dearest and the Blessed for a world of lost sinners was slained”.

1) The Great Battle At The Cross

The battle that started at the Garden of Eden, in which Satan overcame man when Adam and eve fell; thereby relinquishing the authority and dominion God gave man to Satan. Since then, Satan had dominion over man, he became the master while man was his slaves, and the entire race was under his grip and servitude. He began to afflict man with sin, sicknesses, sorrows, sufferings, shame, grieves, trials, temptations and all forms of oppressions.

But on that memorable day, Jesus Christ, “the seed of the woman”, the Son of God, went to the cross to battle it out with the devil the enemy of our souls. That battle that started in the Garden of Eden reached the peak at the cross; there the devil; that old serpent bruised Jesus heels. But Jesus Christ, immediately His hands and feet were nailed to the cross, “the stone that was cut out without hands” (Dan.2:34) rolled down from heaven and broke the chain of Satan just like king David’s stone stroked down; the Goliath of Gath; the uncircumcised Philistine (1Sam.17:49-51). Eden, but Jesus Christ, the Son of God came as second Adam and defeated Satan and thus, delivering us from the bondage of Satan.

Thus, Jesus Christ bruised the head of Satan, spoiling principalities and powers (Col.2:15). He made open show (Gen.3:15; Rom.16:20; Eph.2:14-18).

Satan beat and defeated the first Adam at the Garden of Eden, but the second Adam defeated Satan on the cross at the Garden of Gethsemane.

2) The Great Victory At The Cross

‘Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way nailing it to His cross. And having spoiled principality and power, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Col.2:14-15).

The Lord Jesus on the cross stripped Satan and his forces of all their power to condemn and kill the race. The law was blotted out and they had no further claim to hold man in sin and bondage as they previously did by means of the law. On the Cross Jesus made a public demonstration i.e. a public shame of the devil. And this victory is ours.

Jesus Christ is no longer fighting the devil now. He has finished everything on the cross. There is nothing more to fear. Our LORD has bruised the head of Satan by the sledge hammer of God’s power; there is no need to tremble, because victory is already ours.

Knowing that Jesus has defeated Satan on the cross should make us victors, winner and not losers (Lk.10:19; Mk.16:17; 1Corint.15:57; 2Corint.1:10; 10:4-6).

QUESTIONS

1. Mention three (3) basic things that happened at the cross?

2. The first Adam lost his battle, but the second Adam won the battle. Explain!