“to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness” – Romans 3:26
When we think about the Cross, we often start with what it means for us—salvation, forgiveness, freedom. And rightly so. But what if we paused and asked, “What does the Cross mean to God?” 2 Corinthians 5:18 tells us that God reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, but the deeper question is: why did He choose the Cross to do it? To answer that, we must shift our perspective. Instead of looking from earth up, we must look from heaven down. The Cross glorifies God. It reveals His holiness, justice, mercy, and love in perfect harmony. The Cross wasn’t just about saving us—it was about vindicating God’s righteousness. It was the only way a holy God could remain just while justifying sinners.
Jesus taught in Luke 17:3–4 that we are to forgive those who repent, even seven times in a day. But notice—no one had to die for that forgiveness. So why did Jesus have to suffer and bleed for ours? Because our sin isn’t just a personal failure—it’s cosmic rebellion against a perfectly holy God. Romans 3:25–26 says that Jesus died “to demonstrate His righteousness.” God didn’t overlook sin; He dealt with it fully. The Cross was gruesome because sin is grievous. It wasn’t a divine overreaction—it was divine justice. Like trying to hold water in a cup while someone keeps pouring, the depth of this truth overwhelms us. But it also humbles us. Jesus didn’t die just to make us feel better—He died to glorify His Father. And that changes everything. It means our salvation isn’t just about us—it’s about Him.
If the Cross was ultimately for God’s glory, then so is our salvation. Colossians 3:23 reminds us, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” We were made to glorify Him. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God,” and so should we. But in a world obsessed with self—self-care, self-promotion, self-fulfillment—we often bring that mindset into our faith. We ask, “What can God do for me?” instead of “How can I live for Him?” David Brainerd, on his deathbed, said, “My heaven is to please God and glorify Him.” That’s the heart of true Christianity. So here’s the call: shift your focus. Seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33), and let everything else fall into place. Live not for advancement, but for adoration. The Cross was for God’s glory—let your life be too.
“The cross of Christ is the vindication of God. It is the declaration to the whole world of the righteousness, the holiness, the justice, and the love of God. It is the way whereby God has revealed Himself in His fullness.”
— Martyn Lloyd-Jones
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