Text: 2 Corinthians 5:21

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Series: Seven Different Perspectives of the Cross

Introduction:

We talk about the cross, the facts of the cross, what it means to us. That’s it! The cross is much more than that. We are going to take a closer look at the cross from seven distinct points of view:

• What the cross meant to God.
• What the cross meant to Christ.
• What the cross meant to Satan.
• What the cross means to the World.
• What the Cross means to the Church.
• What the Cross means to the Christian’s struggle against sin.
• What the Cross means in Heaven.

We will be addressing the big question "What does the Cross mean to YOU?"

This verse is amazingly simple!

25 words

1 three syllable word (righteousness)

2 words with five letters or more (might, righteousness)

5 words with four letters (Hath, made, knew, that, made)

18 of 25 words with three or less letters

2 Corinthians 5:21

For he (God)hath made him (Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

2 Corinthians 5:18

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

This verse contains great truth of God, miss this, and you miss God. If you get this right, you can be wrong in a lot of other places and still go to heaven. In these days of theological confusion we need to be clear on the gospel message.

Mark 16:15

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

2 Corinthians 5:21 explains what the cross meant to Christ.

His Character: He Had No Sin

How we know he had no sin:

• Testimony of types

Passover lamb (Exodus 12:5) without blemish, blood applied to the door

John 1:29

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

• Testimony of God

2 Corinthians 5:21 …who knew no sin,

1 Peter 2:22

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

1 John 3:5

And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

Hebrews 4:15

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

• Testimony of adversaries

Pontius Pilate

John 19:4

Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

Thief on cross

Luke 23:41

And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

Roman Centurion

Matthew 27:54

Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

His Sacrifice: He Became Sin For Us

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us…

Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:12

12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Matthew 23:36-45 (hand of sinners)

Jesus on the cross

Luke 23:34

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Luke 23:43

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Matthew 27:46

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Psalm 22:1 (The only saying prophesied ahead of time)

John 19:30

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Luke 23:46

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

John 10:15, 17-18 (Jesus gave His life)

Hebrews 5:7-9

7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

His Gift: We Might Be Made the Righteousness of God in Him

2 Corinthians 5:21 … that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Romans 5:1-2

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.