Pastor John Barnes, Commerce, Georgia

Why was Jesus nailed to the cross?

Let us go back to the beginning (See Genesis 1:26,27; 2:7,8,9). God created man not to control him, but to care and comfort him. He gave him choice (Genesis 2:15-17). God created a place that had everything that was needed for man to survive. He made man a caretaker of His creations. God wanted man to be happy. So much so that He said, “It is not good for man to be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” God introduced marriage in the Garden of Eden. Together they would care for the garden and share their thoughts and time with one another. God told them they had everything they would ever need or want there in front of them. Every tree that bared food was good for food, all but one tree, the tree in the mist of the garden

was to be left alone and not eaten. This tree was the tree of “good and evil.” As we have read and heard Satan snuck in and deceived man and sin was then brought into this world. It was at that point there was separation between God and man.

Man was then cast out of the garden and the comfort that was once given to man was taken away. Sin was now in the heart of man. He was then told he would have to work for what was needed to survive.

Because of sin, a sacrifice was then needed for the forgiveness of all transgressions. The sacrifice of innocent blood was needed for man’s transgressions. It was not God’s will for us to sacrifice innocent blood of animals, every year. (See Proverbs 21:1- 3; 1 Samuel 15:22-25). What is this King Saul was trying to convey to Samuel? Verse 24 tells us. Many are more afraid of the people in this world and more of friends and family, that they do not want to hurt or offend. Saul begs Samuel to stay and walk with him that he may get back on the right path with God. We must be in the fear of God more than man. (Matt.6:24) Man continued in the fear of this world all throughout history. They continued to follow and fall into sin rather than obeying God, sacrificing innocent blood without remorse, to only to go back and continue in sin. Church, this is not what God wants from His greatest creation. He wants to walk and talk with you along life’s trials, carrying you through to victory, not stopping to take part in, but through and over into victory.

(See Hebrews 10:1-4.).

God saw the evil in man’s heart. These yearly sacrifices were not changing the heart man, but only making the heart content in their sins. Something had to change. (See Hebrews 10:5). That change was Jesus, The Son of God. (See Isaiah 53:1-10). JESUS! JESUS! JESUS! HIS NAME IS JESUS! HALLELUJAH! (See John 1:1-14). “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord”… (Romans 6:23; John 3:16) Jesus is a gift to you and me. Eternity stepped out of Eternity, to do the Fathers will and stepped back into Eternity! You may say I have done nothing wrong. I have nothing to be forgiven of. The Adamic nature is already there. (See Romans 3:10-23). But there is hope. Amen. There is hope. Praise God. Jesus! He is our HOPE! (See Romans 3:24-31; John 15:13-14). You have a friend in Jesus.

He made the ultimate sacrifice for you and I today. He knew no sin. He was pure and innocent, yet He laid down His life for you. He was nailed to the cross. It was necessary for Jesus to be nailed so that His blood could be shed for you and me. No more innocent blood from a world of sin. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life…“ You must have Jesus. You are going to have to repent and accept His blood sacrifice in order to be forgiven. The cross is where we crucify the Adamic nature. They are not for us to bear, but ours

to let go. Jesus is saying to us today: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laiden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

You know what is on you. You know the sins you are burdened down with. Jesus is ready to carry you and release you from this world of sin and the devil that runs it. AND MAKE YOU FREE!

Come let us nail them to the Cross.