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The Responsibility for the
by Ralph L. Byron, Jr., M .D .
Chairman, Department of Oncologic and General Surgery, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, California
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L ast week I was seated next to a Jewish couple on a jet, winging my way to New York. We had exchanged the usual “hellos” and “ comments” about the world situation. Out of a clear sky the gentleman turned to me and asked, “Who crucified Christ?” I know that this question originated from the accusation often hurled at the Jew, “You killed Christ,” or “ Christ’s killer.” It was apparent that here was a unique oppor tunity to share the gospel. I answered in a low, un- ' emotional voice, “ I will tell you.” In the mechanics of the crucifixion, Jesus was be trayed by a Jewish disciple, was accused by the Jews; tried in a Roman court; sentenced by Pilate, the Roman governor; scourged by the Romans; made to carry His cross by the Romans; nailed to the cross by the Romans, pronounced dead by the Romans; taken off the cross by the Romans; and buried by a Jew in a Jewish tomb. Now the Romans who were involved were not Jews, but Gentiles. Thus it is seen that both Jew and Gentile had a part in the cross historically. In a far greater way the cross is at the center of our faith and we are all involved. “ For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God” (I Corinthians 1:18). The concept of a suffering Messiah is introduced in the 3rd chapter of Genesis — “ It [Christ, the Seed of the Woman] shall bruise thy [Satan’s] head, and thou [Satan] shall bruise his [Christ’s] heel [at the Cross].” Later in the same chapter Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden to keep them from a false tree of life [everlasting life as a sinner] and to point them to the real tree of life, the cross, [everlasting life delivered from sin]. In the wilderness when the children of Israel were dying of snake bites, Moses was commanded of God to put a bfonze serpent on a pole (literally a tree) with the promise that who soever looked upon it after being bitten would be healed. Jesus used this as an example of the way in which He would be lifted up on the cross and faith in Him would save. The sacrifices on the brazen altar in the taber nacle were a type of Christ on the cross. The 22nd Psalm gives a picture of Christ suffering on the cross. Isaiah 53 gives a description of the cross and its pur pose for us. In Zechariah we see that it is God who called the time of the cross. As we are introduced to Jesus and his ministry in the Gospels, we find Him steadfastly moving toward the cross. He came for this
purpose: to go to the cross that we might be freed from sin. He went of His own free will. Even at the last He could have called on the Father and more than twelve legions (72,000) of angels would have delivered Him. In the shadow of the cross He spoke, “ Now is the hour come.” The cross was essential in order that our sins be completely dealt with. There was no other way. He bore our sins in His own body on the tree (cross). He was made a curse for us. “ For it is written, cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Galatians 3:13). This was not only the perfect sacrifice, but the infinite sacrifice. There was no other way. As Paul puts it to the Galatians, “ I f there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law” (Galatians 3:21). Then there would have been no need for Christ to come. However, there is no law that can save a man. Christ went to the cross and paid the infinite price that we might be cleansed from sin and clothed with His righteousness. Now not only were a handful of Gentiles and Jews involved in crucifying Christ, but all Gentiles and all Jews of that day had a part in the crucifixion. Their sin demanded it and made it necessary. It is not limited to people of that day but all of us through the centuries had our part in the cross be cause of our sin. It was our sin, or more specifically, my sin and your sin, that crucified Christ. Take away the cross, and all is confusion. How can God be a just God and not punish sin? How can God be a merciful God and still send a man to Hell? In the cross we see the love of God: “God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5 :8 )—the mercy of God. “When we were without hope Christ died for us”—the justice o f God was satisfied with this infinite sacrifice, and the righteousness of God shown in Christ. Yes, we all had a part in the cross. Christ’s going to the cross has made it possible for us to be freed from sin and prepared for an eternity in Heaven. Do you know the Christ of the cross? Have you said “Yes” to His offer to give you new life? My Jewish friends on the plan listened to this Bibli cal explanation of the cross wide-eyed and deeply moved. Truly, the preaching of the cross is the power of God!
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JUNE, 1964
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