Effects of the Cross on the Apostles
What is it that makes Christ’s death the supreme sacrifice above all other human deaths? Many people have been martyred and suffered horrendous deaths, some that at least outwardly seem more excruciating than the death of the cross. Have you ever thought about why Christ’s death on the cross made such a significant impact on the disciples and early Christians? The disciples spent approximately three years with Christ. They traveled together day and night. They witnessed His commitment and dedication to His Father and to the work He was sent to perform. They were taught personally by Him and heard Him preach to both large and small groups of people. They witnessed His tremendous miracles and His consistent, unwavering faith in the truth of God. In spite of all this, three years later at the “Last Supper” they were still a group of greedy, carnal, self-seeking men. It would be the death of their friend and Savior Jesus, however, that would completely transform them.
After the death of Jesus Christ the disciples abandoned their self-interest, selfish ambition and competition. They became willing to be spent and to die for their Savior and for the work of God. Why? Look at the early church. They “turned the world upside down” because of what the cross of Christ meant to them. Why did Paul say,
“I want to glory in nothing else but Jesus Christ and Him crucified”? (Galatians 6:14)
And,
“For I am determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus and Him crucified.” (1Corinthians 2:2).
What was it about the death of Christ that made such a major impact on them and brought a total transformation in their personal resolve? I believe that if we find the answer to that question, the Body of Christ, the Ecclesia, will never be the same again. Like the early Church, we can be so totally transformed because of our profound understanding of the total sacrifice that Christ made that we can never again be casual or complacent about our relationship with Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross.——-by Ray Wooten
