Generally, most think only of Jesus when thinking of the cross. However, there were three things nailed to the cross.
Isaiah 53 is a prophetic picture of the Christ to come being rejected by the masses, and nailed to the cross. Hebrews 10:4 says, “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” Hebrew 9:12 says, “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Romans 5:8, 9).
There can be no doubt to the honest believer that the blood of Jesus saves sinners. However, that same honest believer also realizes that the shedding of Jesus’ blood alone does not save one. Had Jesus not been raised from the dead, the shedding of His precious blood would have been meaningless. He would have done and been no more than any person whose blood was shed in death. Romans 1:4 says Jesus was “declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” Paul, inspired of God (1 Corinthians 2), told “the saints” of “the church of God which is at Corinth” (1 Corinthians 1:1, 2), “If Christ is not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain…ye are yet in your sins…perished.” (1 Corinthians 15:14-18). Ephesians 2:1 describes these people as “dead in trespasses and sins.” Verse 12 says those dead in trespasses and sins are “without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” The next few verses show that hope and life are in Christ. (Verses 13ff).
The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, along with our faithful obedience to Him, enables us to say, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” (2 Corinthians 9:15; John 3:16). Jesus, “the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men,…(Titus 2:11), and He “became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” (Hebrews 5:8, 9).
The precious spotless Lamb, the Son of God (1 Peter 1:19) enables us to purify our souls in obeying the truth….being born again , not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (Verses 19-25). One is saved by the death and life of Jesus when one has “Obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered unto you. Being then made free from sin,….” (Romans 6:17, 18), This freedom from sin comes by obedience to Jesus when one hears the gospel or faith (Romans 1:16; 10:17), believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Acts 8:37; John 8:24), repents of sin (Acts 17:30, 31), confesses faith in Jesus (Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9, 10), and is buried in the waters of baptism for the remission of sins. (Romans 6:1-5; John 3:23; Acts 2:38; 22:16). This burial in water also puts one into Christ and His church. (Galatians 3:26, 27; 1 Corinthians 12:13). The newborn babe then begins to grow (1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18), seeking to be faithful. (Revelation 2:10).
God gave His first written law to Israel through Moses at Mt. Sinai. (Deuteronomy 5:1-5; Exodus 20). It was given “that the offense might abound” (Romans 5:20), “because of transgressions” (Galatians 3:19), and to bring them “unto Christ.” (Galatians 3: 24, 25). The law given to Israel through Moses at Mt. Sinai was to be replaced. (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Hebrews 6:6-13 show that this was done. Colossians 2:14-16 tell us when the new law replaced the old law, saying, “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.” Verses 15, 16 make it clear that we are no longer under the first covenant; we are no longer to be judged by it. Cf. Romans 7:1-6; Galatians 3:19-29; John 1:17. Compare also, 2 Corinthians 3; the book of Galatians, especially chapters 3-5; Acts 15; and such like. Is the Old Testament of no value? Romans 15:4 answers that question, saying, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” The Old Testament shows us that God means what He says, and He says what He means. It tells us how God reacts to obedience and disobedience. For example, 2 Kings 5, Naaman cleansed of leprosy when he did what God told him as God directed; exodus from Egypt to Canaan, with rewards and punishments, etc. Compare Deuteronomy 4 and Revelation 22:18, 19.
Lastly, “Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross, And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH, KING OF THE JEWS.” (John 19:19). These words were written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. All who could read would be able to understand who Pilate believed was being crucified. It may also have been the expression of a faith just short of complete obedience. He may have been like King Agrippa, “Almost” persuaded. (Acts 26:28). Pilate accurately stated who was being crucified. Where did he get his information? He may have read or heard someone speak of Old Testament scriptures, such as Zechariah 9:9, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” Perhaps Pilate had heard of Jesus and been convinced by what was said. Possibly, he had heard people speak of Jesus sending two disciples to get an ass and colt for Him to ride into the city. (Matthew 21:1-3. Maybe Pilate heard them tell of this being the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, recorded in Isaiah 62:11. He may have heard other disciples of Jesus speaking of who He was. Whatever his source of information, Pilate accurately stated who was on the cross. His refusal to change the writing says more about Pilate’s attitude. It loudly proclaims who Jesus was. “God was manifest in the flesh.” (1 Timothy 3:16). Jesus was not just another man. He was Deity, God.
1 Timothy 1:16, 17 calls Jesus, “the King eternal.” “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him…by his angel unto his servant John.” (Revelation 1:1). Speaking of “the Lamb”, John called Jesus, “Lord of Lords, and King of Kings:….” (Revelation 17:14).
Three things were nailed to the cross. (1) JESUS, the willing Lamb of God sacrificed for the sins of the world, was nailed to the cross. Had He nor done the Father’s will, the world, including you and I, would be hopelessly and helplessly lost, heading for an eternal hell. (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 21:8). We may still go there if we do not obey the gospel. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; 2 Corinthians 5:11).
(2) THE OLD TESTAMENT LAW was nailed to the cross. God gave the law to maintain the seed line promised, to bring the promise to fruition when Jesus gave His law, the gospel, the law of faith. We are to obey the last will and testament of Jesus.
(3) PILATE’S INSCRIPTION, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS was nailed to the cross. His Deity was set forth in this declaration. All are forever reminded of the fact that Jesus humbled Himself, left heaven, and came to save lost man from sin.
Beloved, God loves you. You should be eternally grateful for that love. Jesus loves you. You should be eternally grateful for that love. The Holy Spirit loves you. You ought to be eternally grateful for that love. The angels in heaven love you, and they are anxiously waiting to rejoice at your positive response to the invitation you have been given to the feast. Saved ones now living love you. They hope to see you saved and enjoy your fellowship here and eternal fellowship as we worship together in heaven.
Please attach yourself to the cross of Christ today! Call for the one who gave you this tract to help you enter Christ, returning the love God has shown
It Is Written 