1.1 The Significance of the Cross

1.1 The Significance of the Cross [∞]

1.1 The Significance of the Cross

▸ ± 1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

For most, the cross is a mere symbol of God's love for us, that while we were sinners, Christ died for us. Also "for God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son".

The cross is a metaphor for something much more.

1.1a It represents that God's revelation of himself is complete [∞]

From the first word of Genesis 1:1 the Eternal Son makes the Father known. It is his purpose and destiny. The Father will always remain unseen and un-seeable; unheard and un-hearable. Everything we know about the Father is through the Son.

The purpose of every verse of every chapter and book of the OT it to reveal the invisible Father. Therefore, it ALL speaks of Christ. On the road to Emmaus, he showed how all the scripture spoke of him.

It is said that there are over 300 prophesies fulfilled by Christ, but because every verse of the OT participates in speaking of Christ, it is nearly impossible to count them. Properly reading scripture as he taught on the road to Emmaus reveals the depths of his word in making the Father known which is completed by the cross.

1.1b I thirst...It is finished [∞]

When Jesus said "It is finished" he was referring to more than his life being over.

1.1b.2 Samson's thirst [∞] End of judgement

Samson slew a thousand men with the jawbone of an ass as a shadow of Christ judging men. When he was finished judging, Samson was thirsty. When Jesus was finished judging, he was totally consumed. He is the Word of God which is symbolized by water. His 'water' was all used up. Both Samson and Jesus were thirsty. With "I thirst", Jesus declared, "Judgement is finished".

Water then came from the jawbone. [Jawbone lechiy לחי - fresh, new לח creation י] When Christ was finished with the judgement of man, Jesus gave new life.

1.1b.3 End of Egypt [∞]

The slavery of Israel in Egypt was a judgement. They did not worship God, but the gods of Egypt. As the judgement ended they passed through the sea on dry ground. The crossing is often seen as a picture of baptism, but baptism itself is a picture of the cross. Jesus is the firmament between the waters; the firm ground. As with the shadow of Samson and the jawbone, Jesus was totally consumed on the cross; he was 'dry'.

In the wilderness, they were first given manna, a kind of bread to eat. Manna מן is 'from מ the death of the son of man ן'. Jesus is the bread from heaven. It represents the cross; his body given for us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. God's name 'Elohim' has a pun 'lechem' which is bread. 'Lechem' לחם means 'teaching ל to understand ח the finished work of the son ם. When we are delivered by God, he teaches us about the cross. The cross symbolized by the bread declared the end of judgement.

Then the Hebrews thirsted again signifying the end of judgement. They were given a flood of water from the rock. After the cross, there was a flood of doctrine as all the OT was revealed to speak of Christ. The new teaching taught grace. The old teaching/water taught judgement.

The water came from a rock ['tsur' צור is the exchange of sin and righteousness צ made clear ו by revelation ר]. Christ was the Rock, not Peter, nor 'revelation'. The rock was struck a second time and produced water because they thirsted again at the end of the 40 years. The judgement of the flesh was ended.

1.1b.4 I will praise the name of God [∞]

▸ ± Ps 69:21 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

As with other 'thirsty' verses, this one prefigures Christ on the cross where they gave him vinegar to drink when he thirsted.

The Hebrew word for vinegar is the same as for leaven. At the Passover, whoever had leaven at the time of the Passover would be cut off. It was the final judgement before the shadow of the cross. Leaven represents 'teaching'. The Hebrews removed the old teaching of judgement in preparation for the new teaching of peace and grace.

The thirst of Jesus signifies the end of judgement, the final teaching from the law.

Ps 69:30 ¶ I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

From verse 21 - 29 there are bad things happening to the people. BUT Jesus took our judgement. They are a description of our sins which he took to the cross. He pronounced judgement on men, then according to his law, the one who judges is judged. In verse 30, we see that after his judgement, he praises God having conquered sin.

His thirst was the end of judgement followed by a new life.

1.1c Four points of the cross [∞]

You may have noticed that God gets your attention with repetitions. The numbers 3, 7 and 40; for instance. These are intentional. The invisible God is trying to get your attention. We need not be content to hearing the knocking, but can actually discern the meaning.

When there are four of anything, they refer to the four voices of God. They are four intended meanings and uses for scripture.

Prophet - doctrine. This is revealed in a heavenly language(H) of the earthly(E) life of Christ.

Judge - reproof. This is revealed in a heavenly language(H) confronting the flesh(E).

Priest - correction. This is revealed in a heavenly language(H) of the eternal Word(H).

King - Training in righteousness. This is revealed in a literal language(E) concerning training the flesh(E).

Jesus died in accordance to the Word as expressed in all four voices.

Jesus revealed the voice of the prophet when he gave the key to the kingdom, and opened their understanding on the road to Emmaus. The Spirit guided the apostles as they they remembered what Jesus had taught and done as prophecy of the cross. He died according to those prophecies. Prophecy was fulfilled.

The Word confronts our sin, then moves it to Christ. This seems like magic, but it is according to his word, which allows us to understand the process more intimately. He died for our sin according to the voice of the judge. Judgement was ended.

The Priest tells how things are made right between God and man. Peace has been established; there is rest. The Priest declares this was the plan from before the beginning. Jesus died according to the plan, but was resurrected to be our high Priest.

The King trains us in righteousness. For 2000 years preachers have been speaking to our flesh as they parse out moral imperatives from scripture. This helps keep our flesh under control. According to the moral imperative: the soul that sinneth must die, Jesus died for our sins; having been made to be sin. The flesh is resurrected.

As we die with Christ, we are resurrected with him as Kings and Priests. The four points of the cross tell us he fulfilled the prophecies of the word in all four voices.

Bonus points: Why don't the prophet and judge get resurrected? They are mixtures (H)(E).

▸ ± Lev 19:19 says, “Keep my decrees. Do not mate different kinds of animals. Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material.”

▸ ± De 22:9–11 commands, “Do not plant two kinds of seed in your vineyard; if you do, not only the crops you plant but also the fruit of the vineyard will be defiled. Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together. Do not wear clothes of wool and linen woven together.”

1.1d Lifted up [∞]

The cross is part of the prophetic pattern of things lifted up. The pattern establishes that judgement is ended.

Cain lifted up

Noah's ark lifted up

Moses's rod lifted from the ground

Moses's staff lifted in battle

Serpent lifted up

Christ lifted up Wine from water

1.1e Tree [∞]

Tree

1.1f The key