I laugh aloud (and cry inside) every time I watch one of those medicine commercials on TV. To begin with, everything about the video is fake and unrealistic: Everybody is smiling and everyone is very nice to each other. They are usually walking in the park and enjoying life, thanks to the cure provided by the pill or vaccine.
Then, the funny (and ridiculous) part begins. As the couple strolls along the park, mountainside or beach shore, they list all the side effects of the “miraculous” medicine. Sometimes this list is so big, that it takes most of video to explain the potential side effects ranging from headaches and diarrhea, to major complications and even death.
We do not need medicines that can cure one ailment and give us twenty more. We reject medications that instead of aiding our health and well-being are the main cause that our hospitals are filled with sick people today.
When we look at the cross of Jesus Christ, we can also see many side effects for those who believe in Jesus. He died on the cross for the satisfaction and glory of the Father. The righteous wrath of the Father was poured over the Son, who being perfect and blameless became the perfect and ultimate sacrifice for the sins of his people.
Most medicines have negative side effects, but the Cross only has good side effects for Christians. Because of the cross of Christ we enjoy the following side effects or benefits:
Forgiveness of sins
Eternal life in Christ
Adoption into the family of God
Union with Christ forever
The cross of Christ is the divine “medicine” that fills our souls with love, joy, hope and peace. As Jesus paid the ransom of sin, He is now able to save all those who are given to him by the Father (John 6:37) that come to the cross to seek salvation.
The cross satisfied the Father and reconciled mankind with God. The unreachable gulf of separation that was there between us and God, was bridged by the perfect sacrifice of the perfect Lamb of God, who is the only Way to heaven (John 14:6)
The apostle Paul tells us in Colossians 1:19-20:
“For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.”
We have peace with God today because of the cross. That is one side effect that we can live with (pun intended), because the death of Jesus brought life, liberty and all the blessings of God’s grace to his children.
A. G.
