The Cross – Paul M. Williams

Bethesda Shalom

Mark 15:21-47

If I was to say to you the words, “Carmen Christi”, there’s probably very few of you if any, who would understand what I’m on about. “Carmen Christi” is Latin, which being interpreted means “Hymn to Christ”. Now while you most likely are unfamiliar with the language, you ought be very familiar with the content. You may better know this hymn as Philippians 2:5-11. It is believed by scholars and historians that this passage in Paul’s letter to the Philippians pre-existed Paul’s letter itself in that it was an old Christian hymn rich in theological beauty! One author wrote: “The Church which sang this hymn proclaimed for the first time the three 'epochs' in the existence of Christ: he is hailed and confessed first as pre-existent, then as incarnate and humiliated and finally as triumphant”. Now, whatever its historical background, one cannot cast their eyes upon this text of Scripture without being deeply impacted. It’s theological depth is almost unrivalled, it’s Christological content is scarcely without comparison.

Join us as we survey the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, first from earth’s prospective and then from heaven’s.