Jesus is fully God and fully human. He came to earth to show us the way. This was an incredible step, from sitting on the right side of the father in heaven, to be born in a mortal human body.
Jesus Humbled on the Cross
Philippians 2:6-8, NET©
6 who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature.
8 He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death– even death on a cross!
Jesus became the servant of all mankind, he was mocked by the pharisees, and humiliated in every way possible.
In the end, he was obedient to God the Father, so that he died on the cross of calvary, for the sins of all the world, executed by the cruelest method known to mankind for maximum suffering, and this after being whipped, beaten and tortured, made a spectacle for all of Jerusalem to watch.
Yet, Jesus chose to do it for the Father’s love of mankind, and for you and me.
The Cross – the Power of God
18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18, NET©
For those that are strong in themselves and prideful, Jesus’ death on the cross appears to be foolishness. Why did Jesus have to die, why not just beat the crap out of the devil?
But for those who have insight about their own weakness, and have experienced what God has done for them, it is a power unto salvation. All this to humble the prideful ones!
Our Sins Crucified with Jesus
24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning and live for righteousness. By his wounds you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24, NET©
The crucifixion was a sin offering for the sins of the world. Through the shedding of his own blood, he has washed us clean so that we can receive justification as a gift. Without the righteousness of God, we can not approach God.
Our Debt Crucified with Jesus
13 And even though you were dead in your transgressions and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he nevertheless made you alive with him, having forgiven all your transgressions. 14 He has destroyed what was against us, a certificate of indebtedness expressed in decrees opposed to us. He has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14, NET©
The crucifixion was also a guilt offering, with whom Jesus paid the price for the debt we incurred through our transgressions. The debt certificate has been nailed to the cross of calvary, and therefore God does not require revenge on us when we receive salvation.
Jesus’ Victory on the Cross
15 Disarming the rulers and authorities, he has made a public disgrace of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Colossians 2:15, NET©
The crucifixion may look like a defeat at first, because Jesus had to die. But what Jesus really did was to defeat Satan’s powers. When God forgave the sins on the cross, there was no longer anything to accuse us of, thereby the devil lost his power against those who have received Jesus.
In the days of the Roman Empire, the field marshals used to celebrate triumph when they had won a victory over another kingdom or empire. Prisoners of war had to parade naked through Rome to become public spectacle. This has Jesus done with all fallen angels and demons before all the hosts of heaven.