Most people hope the “Cross” won’t get in the way of their Easter celebration…we love Sunday’s where we can celebrate the fact that He is Risen…and don’t get me wrong I am glad that He is Risen…but I am also thankful and mindful of the fact that Good Friday was bloody, traumatic and horrific; and yet it was the ultimate portrayal of Love!
Here are some meanings of the Cross for me:
To Absorb the Wrath of God – “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” Galatians 3:13
We would never be overwhelmed in awe of being loved by a Holy God if we don’t at first recognize the gravity of our sin and the justice of His Wrath against us.
To Show the Wealth of God’s Love and His Grace for me the Sinner – “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace” Ephesians 1:7
God’s extreme sacrifice is really not in response to my worth but the overflow of His Infinite richness that comes from the worth of His Great Grace! Great Love at a Great Cost for Great Sinners!
To Illustrate His Own Love For Me – “and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2
His sufferings have to do with me…It is my sin that cut me off from God, not just sin in general. I am lost and undone except for His Mercy!
To Create a Person in Me, that is Passionate for Good Works –“…who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” Titus 2:14
At the heart of Grace is the fact that we are not perfected by Good Works, but through His Sacrifice we can become passionate about doing Good Works. When we love others as Jesus Christ has loved us…when we see others as Jesus sees them…we can take risks that are life-transforming, which lead us to combat in-justice, heal the broken, feed the hungry and walk out the Gospel in every day life.
This year don’t let Easter be just another holiday or opportunity to eat lots of chocolate…look into the eyes of the one that willfully went to the Cross for you and for me!
"When we preach Christ crucified, we have no reason to stammer, or stutter, or hesitate, or apologize; there is nothing in the Gospel of which we have any cause to be ashamed." C.H. Spurgeon
Till next time-
dg
