Galatians 6:14 (ESV) But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
The Advent of Jesus was a mission. Jesus came to glorify the Father by being the sacrifice for the sin of the world. Yhwh, the Father, would put Jesus, the Son, to death to make atonement for sin. See Isaiah 53 for the explicit explanation of the Father’s sacrifice of the Son to lay on him sin so that guilty sinners can go free.
The cross of Jesus is of inestimable significance. Even those words bother my soul because they just can’t do it justice. If we could just imagine total and complete soul level exultant joy in Christ with no hint of sin, we might be getting close. But not quite.
Jesus came to die for sinners to be reconciled back to the Father. Genesis 3:15 gives us the first glimpse at the need for the cross to undo the curse of sin. Jesus sent, as the Chief Apostle…sent one, to be sacrificed for your sin and mine.
So, Paul says to “boast” in this redemptive event.
“The cross” is not merely a T shaped execution device of the Roman government. “The Cross” embodies what we just began to discuss about the eternal plan of God to redeem a people for himself. Holy ground.
Boast only in the cross. Why then would the New Testament give us a few other places that tell us about things that could be boasted in, like 2 Thessalonians 1:4 where Paul boasts in the church to others?
Here’s why. The Cross is so amazing and effectual, that everything worthy of “boasting” in, everything good for us, everything worthy of taking joy in, everything that is terrible and God Romans 8:28’s it, was purchased for us at the Cross.
Philippians 4:8 (ESV) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8 is a Scripture that assists me in good emotional health. It exhorts me to get out of lower brain function into higher brain function so that I think not merely stew. All those good things worthy of praise were bought for me and you at the Cross.
Jesus’ Advent was to die to save and to give us immeasurable good from God.
Advent. Boast in the Cross and all the good that work purchased for us.
Theology in the Dirt 