The Redemption of the Cross: by Andrew Murray

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. Galatians 3:13

Scripture teaches us that there are two points of view from which we may regard Christ’s death upon the cross. The one is the redemption of the cross: Christ dying for us as our complete deliverance from the curse of sin. The other is the fellowship of the cross: Christ taking us up to die with Him and making us partakers of the fellowship of His death.

In the above verse, we find three great unsearchable thoughts. First, the law of God has pronounced a curse on all sin and on all that is sinful. Second, Christ took our curse upon Him and even became a curse, thereby destroying its power. Third, in the cross we now have the everlasting redemption from sin and all its power. The cross reveals to us that man’s sin is under the curse, that Christ became a curse and overcame it, and that He is our full and everlasting deliverance from the curse.

In these thoughts, the most lost and hopeless sinner may find a sure ground of confidence and hope. In Paradise, God had indeed pronounced a curse on this earth and all that belongs to it. (See Genesis 3:17–19.) On Mount Ebal, in connection with giving the law, half of the people of Israel were to pronounce a curse on all sin. (See Deuteronomy 27:11–26.) And there was to be in their midst a continual reminder of it: “He that is hanged is accursed of God” (Deuteronomy 21:23). And yet, who could ever have thought that the Son of God Himself would die on the accursed tree and become a curse for us? But such is the gospel of God’s love, and the penitent sinner can now rejoice in the confident assurance that the curse is forever put away from all who believe in Christ Jesus.

The preaching of the redemption of the cross is the foundation and center of the salvation the gospel brings us. To those who believe its full truth, it is a cause of unceasing thanksgiving. It gives us boldness to rejoice in God. There is nothing else that will keep the heart more tender toward God, enabling us to live in His love and to make Him known to those who have never yet found Him. God be praised for the redemption of the cross!