A couple of weeks back, I mentioned that I bought the book "The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus" by John R. Cross because the write-up at the back looked interesting.
I have finished reading the book and these are my comments.
The book gives an excellent summary of the Bible in chronological order. It starts off with Genesis but also mentions parts of Ezekiel, Isaiah and Revelation where satan was originally created as a cherub, but was cast out from heaven (and with him a third of the angels) because he rebelled and wanted to be like God.
It is with this backdrop that the author is able to explain the severity of what took place in the garden of Eden when man decided to believe the lie of the serpent rather than the truth of what God said.
He then talks about a key concept that "without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness" (Heb 9:22). This helps to explain why the fig leaves did Adam and Eve no good; an animal had to be killed to provide them with clothing. Also, why Abel's animal sacrifice was acceptable to God, whereas Cain's offering of vegetables was not.
Another concept that was brought up was that of "substitutionary sacrifice", ie. something or someone dying in place of another. God provided the ram as a substitutionary sacrifice in place of Isaac. The Israelites offered unblemished animals as sin offerings. Likewise, the High Priest offering sacrifices on behalf of the nation of Israel.
When we understand these 2 concepts, then the reason as to why Jesus had to come to earth to die for the sins of mankind begins to make sense. Blood had to be shed so that God could forgive us justly, and not compromise on His perfect standards. Jesus became the substitutionary sacrifice on behalf of all mankind, once and for all.
I like the illustration that John paints about how man has been trying various ways and means using his own self-efforts to get connected to God, but these have all been in vain.
The only way was to get to God is through the cross of Jesus.
I also like the illustration that he painted about the certified of debt that each of us carried with us because of our sin. Each sin that we commit became debited to and gets accumulated to our account.As debtholders, the ultimate payment is eternal death and separation from God.
However once we believe in Jesus and accept Him as our Saviour and Lord, His righteousness becomes credited to us as our righteousness.
As a result of this, we become justified before God -- our debt is cancelled and considered to be paid in full.
I also like the part where the author spoke about the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place being torn in two when Jesus cried out "It is finished!". If man had torn it, it would have been torn from bottom to top. But God was the one who tore it, hence it was torn from top to bottom. It was also not possible for man to tear it with his bare hands because the curtain was about 15cm or 6 inches thick!
But what was symbolic about this was that because of Jesus' finished work, we can now enter right into God's very presence, whereas previously, only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies only once a year on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
There but for the grace of God, can we enter into the Holy of Holies, and fellowship with our Abba Father.
I do recommend the book to intellectuals who are searching for the answer to the meaning of life. It is still available as a free download in PDF format from the publisher's website.
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