Saturday, 29 March 2008

When I survey the wondrous cross.
Topic: The witness of our faith

If you notice, there are many people who wear crosses. They either wear them as jewelry or in the form of a tattoo. For some people, it's fashionable. Other people wear crosses as a public witness to their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.    

For the Christian, the cross has deep meaning. It is not a mere piece of jewelry or a tattoo. It is a reminder of the saving work of redemption through Jesus Christ. The cross focuses the eyes of believers on to the Savior. It reminds believers the price that was paid for our sins.

As we make  the Christian journey, may we always see the holy cross before us. May we never lose sight of it. Let us not forget the true meaning of the cross. It reminds us of the sacrifical love of Jesus Christ for us.

THE NEED FOR THE CROSS

Why should we always ponder the cross? We should do so, in order to reflect upon what Christ has done for us. Going back to the cross is not a not time event. We go to the cross daily, and we reflect upon our sins, and see our Savior.

As we ponder the cross it is interesting that God took an instrument of death to bring about our salvation. God used the most brutal form of execution to give us new life, peace, and forgiveness through faith in His dear Son.

God took what was used for evil and death, and turned it for our good. Jesus went to the cross like a lamb going to the slaughter. He would be nailed to the cross, enduring it's pain and shame. He would do this out of His great love for us. He went to the cross, because He knew that He was carrying out the plan of salvation and bring it to it's fulfillment. One that cross, Jesus stood in our place. He freely took the punishment that should have been ours because of our sins.

On that cross, Jesus suffered the full payment for our sins. He bore the full weight of our punishment, and suffered the torments of hell. He experienced eternal separation from God.  The Father turned away His face at that moment. Through His death on the cross, Jesus would restore God's relationship with man. This was sysmbolized when the temple veil, that hung in front of the holy of holies was ripped in two. This meant that the separation between God and man had ended. The cross points to the open tomb. Jesus was placed in a borrowed tomb after He had been taken down from the cross. Before He arose, Jesus descended into hell, and proclaimed His victory.(1 Peter 3:19) In the cross, we see the power and the wisdom of God through Jesus Christ.

While Christians are strengthened by the preaching of the cross, there are those who reject it. These people consider themselves to be wise. They cannot understand the preaching of the cross. They believe that it nothing more then pure nonsense. It does not measure up to human reason. The Apostle Paul wrote that such people are perishing. Those who consider themselves to be wise, are really sitting in spiritual darkness. Their minds are opposed to God. God does not let this bother Him. He laughs at the wisdom of men. Through the cross, God has shown both His wisdom and His power. By doing this, He has turned human wisdom on it's head and has made it to look foolish. Much like the Greeks and the Jews of Paul's day, people still demand signs. They want something that makes sense to their reason. They just don't know what to make of the preaching of the cross. It's a stumbling block to them. These people might see the cross as a sign of God's weakness. They think that Jesus was a weak man who allowed Himself to be put to death. They wonder; "Where is the wisdom in that?"

What they miss, or refuse to acknowledge is God's divine wisdom. God's wisdom is shown in the plan of salvation. God's wisdom frustrates and shames all of the wisdom of the world. Through the cross, God reveals Himself. He shows Himself to be a wise and compassionate God. He shows Himself to be a God of grace and mercy. He looks at us through the cross, blesses us for Christ's sake. When we look to the cross, we see God's wisdom, power, grace, and mercy revealed in Jesus Christ.

THE CROSS STILL STANDS

While the world rejects the preaching of the cross, faithful Christians hold it dear. It is still the message of salvation and life through in Jesus. Through the preaching of the cross, we hear the good news of salvation and forgiveness in Jesus' name. This message gives us strength as we bear our own crosses. When we keep our eyes fixed on the cross, we find the strength and the hope to press on towards the heavenly goal.

May we rejoice in the cross. There is victory through the cross for all who believe. Through the cross, Jesus won the gifts of salvation, forgiveness and eternal life. He has made these gifts available through faith. He has overcome the powers of the devil and the grave. In His victory, is our victory. As we make our journey, may we pause, and survey the wondrous cross.

-For the collection; "Reflections along the journey."

Posted by schmikey at 1:36 PM CDT | Post Comment | Permalink

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