The Gospel According to Jesus

The Gospel according to Jesus may be found in Matthew 16.24

We usually draw quite different lessons from this verse.

But a consideration of the immediate context would seem to indicate that it is the Gospel and not the Christian walk that is primarily in view. Verse 21 indicates the context.

Matthew 16:21 KJV From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Three verses later, verse 24:

Matthew 16:24 KJV Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

"Let him deny himself" - Be willing to give up all he has and is in his natural life in this world.

"Let him take up his cross" - Confess that he is a sinner deserving crucifixion. This is the basis upon which any right to life, possessions, family, and reputation is relinquished.

All that have been born again have made this confession and have implicitly relinquished all rights.

"Follow me" - To the place where Jesus will "be killed". It is there that the sinner's cross becomes Jesus' cross. And Jesus pays the price for the sins.

All that have been born again have made this journey spiritually.

The result of the journey:

Colossians 2:14 KJV Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Pilate judged rightly in a sense when he declared the only offense of Jesus was to be the "King of the Jews", and had that "indictment" nailed to his cross.

But the list of our offenses against God is both real and lengthy.

And each offense, past, present, and future. was put to Jesus' account, "nailed to His cross", when we were born again.

And Jesus paid the price for each every offense.

Matthew 27:46 KJV And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

The physical and emotional suffering of Jesus are counterparts to the greater spiritual suffering. Those who have been born again, that is, "crucified with Christ", often report that their conviction of sin preceding conversion included an intense awareness of the eternal separation from God that they were then facing. This is a part of the human side of spiritual separation. But Jesus, as God, had a spiritual fellowship and communion with the Father and the Spirit from everlasting, from the infinity of eternity past. This was broken for six hours on the Cross. This was the price of our sins.

John 19:30 KJV When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Jesus declared that the sacrifice had been accepted. The sins paid for. The writer of Hebrews explains:

Hebrews 10:14 KJV For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

May all who have received this greatest of blessings give thanks and praise without ceasing.

And may all who have not been born again, have no rest, until they have sought and found "so great salvation".