Minister’s Corner: The cross was a necessity

By: DR. BRIAN DORE’
Member of the Ville Platte
Ministerial Alliance

Man’s heart is continually upon evil, the Bible tells us. It was that way from the moment Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, and it is so today. Back in the early history of man, this indictment was recorded in the Word of God: “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5, KJV) We had all strayed into the valley of sin. The Word says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way.” (Isaiah 53:6, KJV)
Literally, man has missed the way. Millions of people are stumbling in the dark of this world headed for destruction but oblivious to their fate. As we witness events unfolding around us on a daily basis, it is evident we haven’t made much improvement concerning the human heart. We still see evil and wickedness perpetrated on all sides. We were all in that same state once. We needed someone to lead us back. We could not find the path that led to the fold on our own. But the prophet Isaiah, speaking for God, gave mankind the remedy for sin. He said, “Come now, and let us reason together, sayeth the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18, KJV).
How can the evil we have committed, the sin against our God which is flagrant, be wiped away? The answer is by a perfect sacrifice, an atoning sacrifice. Jesus knew this and He voluntarily went to the cross to lay down His life for us. What we needed was a shepherd to put us back on the right track; but not just a shepherd, a smitten shepherd. The prophet Isaiah, speaking of Christ, had prophesied, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5, KJV). Our transgressions, our sin, made the cross a necessity. It required Christ’s wounds and bruises. He was smitten for us. When we recognize the ordeal He endured for us, we can understand the great love of God. Won’t you surrender your heart to Christ today?