The Power Of The Cross

At Christmas time, my neighbor across the street had a brightly lit up huge cross that stood out in stark contrast to the darkness of night. The cross represents many things. It represents truth in the midst of deception, love in the midst of hate, compassion conquering contempt, hope overpowering hopelessness, and God’s Presence in the midst of loneliness. The cross is the bridge from living in the kingdom of darkness to experiencing the kingdom of light. When a person kneels at the cross they come humbly before God, admitting their sin, and confessing Jesus as their savior. Their burdens are lifted. Peace floods their souls.

Isaiah 53:5-6 says, “Jesus was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned, everyone, to his own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” II Corinthians 5:21 further adds, “For our sake, he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

The cross-means Jesus accepts you as you are, no matter your past life, and loves you unconditionally. It represents a new life of purpose and meaning. The cross answers the three basic questions of life: Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going after this physical existence? If you are not a Christian, you can become one by receiving what Jesus did for you on the cross.

For Christians, the cross means all this and more. It means to take up your cross and follow Jesus. Matthew 16:24 says, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” This could mean different things to different people, but it is a willingness to go up your own personal agenda and plans to do the will of God, and a willingness to go where God directs you, which may be out of your comfort zone. It may lead to adversity and even persecution. When Jesus called the disciples to his ministry, Matthew 4:19-22 says they “left everything and followed him.”

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me and gave himself for me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me”(Galatians 2:20).

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God”(I Corinthians 1:18).