It is said that the great Napoleon, after conquering almost the whole of Europe, put his finger on the red spot on the map indicating the British Isles and remarked: “Were it not for that red spot I would conquer the world.” So we may say, Were it not for that red spot called Calvary, sin and Satan would soon conquer all. But “the Cross, it standeth fast: Hallelujah!” The Apostle Paul wrote: “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal. 6:14).
Surely all the forces of hell were gathered against our Savior when He hung upon the Cross. Satan must have cackled in glee as he thought that he had gained the victory and defeated the redemptive purpose of God the Father. But the story did not end at the Cross. Yes, Jesus died; yes, his body was prepared for burial and then laid in the tomb. However, on the third day, He rose again, just as He had promised, triumphant over death and the grave.
Without shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness, and Jesus, the sinless Son of God shed His blood at Calvary that our sins would be forgiven as faith is placed in Him and that finished work of redemption upon the Cross. Truly, were it not for that red spot called Calvary, sin and Satan would soon conquer all.
But, oh, bless God, redemption’s plan was completed, “and the blood of Jesus Christ [God’s] Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 Jn. 1:7). “In [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7). We are not redeemed with corruptible things, “But with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Pet. 1:19).
Surely all the forces of hell were gathered against our Savior when He hung upon the Cross. Satan must have cackled in glee as he thought that he had gained the victory and defeated the redemptive purpose of God the Father. But the story did not end at the Cross. Yes, Jesus died; yes, his body was prepared for burial and then laid in the tomb. However, on the third day, He rose again, just as He had promised, triumphant over death and the grave.
Without shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness, and Jesus, the sinless Son of God shed His blood at Calvary that our sins would be forgiven as faith is placed in Him and that finished work of redemption upon the Cross. Truly, were it not for that red spot called Calvary, sin and Satan would soon conquer all.
But, oh, bless God, redemption’s plan was completed, “and the blood of Jesus Christ [God’s] Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 Jn. 1:7). “In [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7). We are not redeemed with corruptible things, “But with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Pet. 1:19).