On March 1 at London Immanuel Church held the first Sunday Service. Pastor Jason preached a message on Acts 3:14-15, where Peter boldly says, “You killed the author of life.” He asked an important question: What does the cross really mean?
The Bible explains the cross in different ways. Paul teaches that the cross is redemption – Jesus paid the price for our sins (Romans 3:23-24). While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8), and through His death we are made righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21). John shows that the cross is the greatest display of God’s love (John 3:16; 1 John 4:10). Jesus Himself foretold His death (Matthew 16:21), and it was not an accident or failure – it was God’s will (John 3:14-15). The cross is not defeat, but victory.
However, Pastor reminded us that the cross is not only about love and grace. It is also about sorrow and violence. Jesus was not just someone who died – He was killed. The cross shows two realities at the same time: God’s love and human sin. It was both a sacrifice and a murder. If we only see the love but ignore the grief, we do not fully understand it.
He also addressed the Old Testament sacrifices. Some believe Jesus had to die only because sacrifices required death. Yet even before the cross, Jesus had the authority to forgive sins (Mark 2:5; Luke 7:48-49). This shows that forgiveness comes from who He is, not only from the act of dying. He asked whether Isaiah 53 must only be understood as physical death. Spiritual death – separation from God – is even more serious than physical death. Jesus became a living sacrifice who carried our sins. He died so that we could truly live.
Pastor then spoke about holy grief. Do we truly repent, knowing that our sin led to the death of the Author of Life? Love is stronger than death, yet love can still be rejected. The cross happened because humanity rejected God’s love. God appeared weak, not because He lacked power, but because He chose to love us.
He compared this to the story of Joseph. To understand Joseph’s forgiveness, we must understand his suffering. His brothers meant harm against him, but God turned it for good (Genesis 50:20). In the same way, although Jesus was killed by human sin, God was still working through it for salvation. The cross was a human tragedy, but also God’s saving plan.
Pastor reminded us that Jesus’ suffering was real and painful. In Gethsemane, He wept and struggled. On the cross, He cried out in sorrow. Without mourning and tears, we cannot understand the cross (Matthew 5:4). It is a beautiful flower that bloomed out of deep suffering. When we understand the cross deeply, we are also able to endure suffering in our own lives. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 6:8 – 10, the Christian life holds a dual reality- we may experience sorrow and hardship, yet still live in hope and joy.
Finally, Pastor encouraged the church to come before the cross with true repentance. The cross includes sorrow, suffering, obedience, glory, and victory. As we walk through the Lenten season, may we grieve with our Lord, reflect deeply on His suffering, and follow Him faithfully, even when the path is difficult.