The Supreme Task
Jesus came to accomplish the impossible task of creating a way for God and man to be one through sacrifice for sin and total redemption.
G.W. North emphasizes the significance of Golgotha as the divinely appointed site for the ultimate sacrifice, where Jesus, despite the brutality of crucifixion, fulfilled God's eternal plan. He highlights that the power to crucify Jesus was granted by God, illustrating that only divine authority could apply the spiritual principles of death to the Son of God. North reflects on the paradox of Jesus' struggle against sin while simultaneously yielding to death, showcasing His dual nature of resisting evil and embracing God's will. The sermon underscores that the supreme task of Jesus was to achieve total redemption and open the way for communion between God and humanity, a task that encompassed profound spiritual truths. Ultimately, North conveys that this monumental work was central to Jesus' mission and the foundation of salvation.
Text
Golgotha was the chosen place where it should all be accomplished; from all eternity God had planned for this. Crucifixion was Roman and barbaric, but to Him the cross was a chosen instrument. In the flesh He would suffer the necessary human counterpart of an eternal principle of life. He told Pilate that he could have had no power to crucify Him except it was given from above. How could a heathen man unaided apply God's principles to God? Wood makes a cross for the outward man, but a human judge could not apply the spiritual principle of death to God's Son -- only God could do that. God decided that the impossible was going to be achieved that day on the cross.
So hanging there at last, Jesus related the unrelatable; He resisted unto blood, yet accepted with all His power; strove with all His might against sin, yet yielded the strength of His body unto death; hating satan, loving God; abominating sin, absolving the sinner, He made the way for God and man to be one.
This was His supreme task, involving many things, each important in its place. Like this, His greatest task, they could only be accomplished here and at the same time. But great as each was, not the unimaginable volume of their united weight, nor the vastness of their combined scope could in any degree resemble the magnitude of the work He had come here chiefly to do.
Sacrifice for sin, total redemption, the act of justification and regeneration itself all depended and turned upon this one thing to which He bent all His power -- was it possible to open the Communion to men and to create men for the Communion?
Sermon Outline
- The Chosen Place and Instrument
- The Human Counterpart of an Eternal Principle
- The Impossible Task Achieved
- The Supreme Task
- Sacrifice for sin and total redemption
- Justification and regeneration through the Communion
Key Quotes
“He told Pilate that he could have had no power to crucify Him except it was given from above.” — G.W. North
“He related the unrelatable; He resisted unto blood, yet accepted with all His power; strove with all His might against sin, yet yielded the strength of His body unto death;” — G.W. North
“was it possible to open the Communion to men and to create men for the Communion?” — G.W. North
Application Points
- Recognize the significance of sacrifice in our relationship with God.
- Understand the importance of total redemption and justification in our lives.
- Seek to create a way for God and others to be in relationship with us through our actions and choices.