Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 16

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - THE CROSS

THE CROSS

The cross is the primary symbol of the Christian faith. Whether it represents the death of Christ, as in the occupied cross, or the resurrected Saviour, as in the unoccupied cross, it is all representative of the mercy and grace of God. Hence, when it is worn simply as a piece of jewellery it tends to cheapen the overall significance of its full meaning.

But it is only a symbol of mercy and grace to those who have accepted His sacrifice; to others it represents a different meaning altogether. Initially, the cross represented punishment as mentioned in Deuteronomy:

If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, 

and he is put to death, 

and you hang him on a tree [cross]… 

(Deuteronomy 21:22)

We tend to focus on the redemptive power of the cross and forget the judgement aspect of its meaning. Psalm 101 states:

I will sing of mercy and judgement: 

unto thee. 

(Psalm 101:1, KJV)

And the cross is where mercy and judgement meet. We tend to focus on the grace and mercy represented by Christ’s cross and forget that it was initially, and still is, a symbol also of punishment. It was the means by which one deserving of death, one who had committed sin, was executed. We often forget that the cross implies judgement to those not committed to Christ and so represents the divine wrath of God toward sinners. As R.C. Sproul stated:

There is probably no concept in theology more repugnant to modern America 

than the idea of divine wrath.*

We are to understand both the love of God and His divine wrath. In Psalm 34 we read:

O taste and see that the Lord is good;

Blessed is the man that trusts in Him!

O fear the Lord, you His saints! 

There is no want to those 

who fear Him.

(Psalm 34:8,9)

The goodness of God cannot be separated from the fear of the Lord.** 

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 

(Hebrews 10:31)

Thus the cross is both a symbol of grace and mercy and of judgement, perhaps even to those who wear it, if such is not done in recognition and acceptance of the its true meaning. We all must all at some time die and, as did Christ, die alone. 

He cried out:

My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? 

(Matthew 27:46)

How many of us will be crying out the same plea when we come to realize that the cross has become not a symbol of grace but of judgement?

Every man must do two things alone: 

he must do his own believing, 

and he must do his own dying. 

(Martin Luther)***

It really is something to think about.

*   The Evidence Bible p.g. 719

** The Evidence Bible p.g. 730

***The Evidence Bible p.g. 763

                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

 

Pastor Matthew Trott - Oct 12, 2025

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 15

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - WHY BELIEVE?

WHY BELIEVE?

There is virtually no dispute as to whether or not Jesus lived as a real man on earth during the first century AD. The question always comes up as to whether on not He was who He claimed to be: the Son of God. So why should we accept His claim to be just that - God’s Son.

There are two main reasons to believe in Him being who people claim Him to be. First, by His words. In many places in the Bible, Jesus implied, if not stated directly, that He was indeed God in the form of a human. Additionally, the way He spoke, taught, and gave instruction really showed that He was indeed more than human. In Matthew chapters 5-7, He taught with so much insight and wisdom that those listening were essentially spell bound. Thus…

…when Jesus had ended these sayings, 

the people were astonished at His teaching,

for He taught them as one having authority,

and not as the scribes. 

(Matthew 7:28,29)

Secondly, with His actions, Jesus showed that He had command and control over all aspects of life. It was evident that He could command the elements as when He controlled the wind and sea.

And suddenly a great tempest areas on the sea, 

so that the boat was covered with the waves. 

But He was asleep.

…Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the sea, 

and there was a great calm. 

(Matthew 8:24,26)

It was also evident, through His ability to heal disease and restore imperfect bodies, that that He could change physical bodies. Again this was reported in many places and times in the Scripture. For example,

…they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted 

with various diseases and torments…epileptics, and paraplegics; 

and He healed them.

(Matthew 4:24)

And behold, a leper came and worshipped Him, saying, 

“Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 

Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying 

“I am willing; be cleansed.” 

Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

(Matthew 8:2,3)

And when He came near the gate of the city [Nain]…

a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother…

When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her…

Then He came and touched the open coffin…

And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” 

So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. 

(Luke 7:12-15)

Finally, it was also evident that He had control over the spiritual world as well for we read in Matthew again that:

 

…they brought to Him

…those who were demon-possessed

…and He healed them.

(Matthew 4:24)

And when He came in contact with a demon-possessed man…

 

…the demons begged Him, saying, 

“If you cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.” 

And He said to them, “Go.” 

…[and so] they went into the herd of swine. 

(Matthew 8:31-32)

All this fully indicates that Jesus was truly not just human but also the true Son of God. Something further to think about.

Pastor Jasmine Trott Oct 5, 2025

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 14