THE CROSS WAS NOT An ACCIDENT

By Doug Brown, Lead Pastor

There are many things that we call accidents in life. One dictionary defines the term accident as: “an event that happens by chance or that is without apparent or deliberate cause.” One event that was certainly not an accident was the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (which I also refer to simply as “the cross”). The cross did not happen by chance, but was and is part of God’s eternal purpose (see Acts 2:22-28).

God used the hands of godless men to fulfill His predetermined plan. According to His foreknowledge, God ordained the cross before the foundation of the world to be the means of redeeming and reconciling men and women to Himself (1 Peter 1:18-20). In the eternal counsel, the Trinity planned the Cross as plan A for salvation. There is no plan B.
Before God created anything, He knew that mankind would choose to rebel against His commands. He knew what the devil would do to Adam, to Eve, to all of mankind. He knew that a moral and spiritual darkness would envelop the whole world. He knew that men would be given to idolatry, adultery, murder, wars, barbaric cruelty and to degrading passions. The human race would no longer see fit to acknowledge God any longer.

He knew and yet He created man and woman in His image. He knew and yet He sent His prophets to warn and forewarn the nations about His coming. He knew what it would be like to be vulnerable before the hands of godless men. He knew and yet He came. He came to die. He came to make a way where there was no way to God. He came to not only undo the works of the evil one but to destroy them. He came to rescue. He came to restore. He came to heal. He came to give hope. He came to bring men and women back to God.

No, this was no accident. Yes, the innocent One died, but it was no accident. He died for the guilty according to the predetermined plan of God. He came and died according to plan. He came for you.

The cross tells us much about the heart of God. In spite of all the pain, sorrow, devastation and suffering that man has caused throughout the ages, God suffers long to capture the hearts of men and women. God pursues. God is not a quitter but fights for your heart. The Son willingly took the cup of God’s wrath to the last drop in order to lead many to salvation. The cross was not an instrument of abuse from the heavenly Father. Jesus chose the Cross. He offered Himself in our place to make it possible for us to know God.

On one hand the cross is ugly and grotesque, but on the other it is the most beautiful description and picture of love ever seen! The beauty of the Cross — do you see it? This no accident!

God does not grade on a curve but by the cross.