Beams From The Cross

Death by crucifixion was a shameful and painful death. It was reserved for the worst of criminals. No Roman had to face the shame of the cross. The “offence of the cross” was real in the Apostle Paul’s day. Yet, Paul gloried in that cross because he saw something attractive in it. When Paul viewed the cross, it was an emblem of love to him. Some hated and despised the cross but it was Paul’s delight and the subject of his worship and praise. These beams are connected with the Old Testament offerings.


I.The Upward Beam From the Cross (v.34-46)- It involved the Father delighted and God glorified. According to Jn. 17 Jesus came to finish the work the Father gave Him to do. As you read v. 4 of John Ch. 17, you can see Christ viewed His work as already completed. This is the burnt offering aspect of the sacrifice of Christ. That offering was completely for God. In all the other offerings the priest had a portion, but not so in this one. This speaks of the highest aspect of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus and comes before the sin-offering.


II. The Backward Beam From The Cross (v.22,41,47)- This beam speaks of the exoneration of the Lord Jesus Christ. The foes, friends, and demons had to confess of the Lord Jesus there was “no fault” or “nothing amiss” in regard to Him. Christ was and is the Lamb of God without blemish and without spot. This speaks of the meal-offering aspect of the sacrifice of Christ. “Fine flour” was one of the ingredients of the important offering. That testifies of the evenness and fitness of Christ’s life. It points us to the absence of sin in Christ’s life–He is the Sinless One. “Honey and meal” was not included in the offering, testifying to us the absence of sin in Christ’s life.


III. The Downward Beam From the Cross (vs. 35-36,39)- This speaks to us of the exceeding sinfulness of sin. The Lamb of God took away the sin of the world. That is illustrated by the various classes of people around the cross. They mocked, reviled and derided Christ. All the sin of the word was upon Him. This speaks to us of the sin-offering aspect of Christ’s sacrifice. The sins of the people were laid on the sin offering when the offerer laid his hand on the head of the animal. In doing so his sin and guilt was transferred to the animal. Then the animal was sent into the wilderness never to return (Lev. 16). Similarly, God laid on Christ the sins of the world that they might be taken away. God forgives of sins.


IV. The Onward Beam From The Cross(v.43). There is a message here about paradise regained. Heaven opened for the dying robber as it opens for all true believers. The trespass offering is represented in the onward beam. This became fixed between God and man. In the cross, the claims of divine justice were met by the death of the robber for His crimes. Similarly the claims of divine justice were met in the death of Christ for man’s sins.


V. The Inward Beam From The Cross(v.49)- Speaks of reconciliation being brought about. God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself (2 Cor. 5:19). This inward ray points to the peace-offering. This offering had the underlying idea of communion with God. Fellowship with God was lost through sin, but it has been restored through sacrifice. What was lost in the first Adam has been made available in the death of Christ