All through the Old Testament the cross is but dimly seen. Though a hundred historical characters and a hundred more Levitical sacrifices and rituals were typical of Christ and His finished work, not once does the Old Testament state this. The silence is profound. The clearest Old Testament prophecy of Christβs death, Isaiah 53, does not even specify who the Sufferer would be.
It was the same during our Lordβs stay on earth, for only toward the close of His ministry do we read: βFrom that time forth began Jesus to show unto His disciples how that He must go unto Jerusalem and sufferβ¦ and be killedβ¦β (Matt. 16:21). And what was their response? βThen Peter took Him and began to rebuke Himβ (Matt. 16:22). Luke 18:34 states three times that they did not have the slightest idea that He would even die, much less did they understand all that His death would accomplish. Even at Pentecost Peter blamed his hearers for the death of Christ and said to them: βrepent and be baptized every one of youβ¦ for the remission of sinsβ (Acts 2:38). The twelve were preaching βthe gospel of the kingdomβ and knew little about the cross and its purpose.
Not until the Apostle Paul, that other apostle, do we have what is properly called βthe preaching of the cross,β i.e., as good news. And in Paulβs great message our Lord is no longer seen as the Victim, but as the Victor, not merely after death, or over death, but in death. His death itself is seen as His greatest triumph. In Heb. 10:12,14 we read:
ββ¦after He had offered one sacrifice for sins [He] sat downβ¦ for by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.β
And in Col. 2:14,15 Paul describes Christ at Calvary nailing the Law to the cross and utterly defeating Satan and his hosts, βtriumphing over them in it (i.e., in the cross).β Little wonder the Apostle exclaimed:
βGod forbid that I should boast, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christβ¦β (Gal. 6:14). source
