Let's visit this. What does "the cross" mean to me? I guarantee you one thing, it probably means some the same things it means to you but with some different characteristics added.
When I think of the cross, the first thing that comes to mind is our Lord Jesus hanging on that cross.
The picture that comes into my mind takes my breath away. Why did Jesus have to endure that horrific pain and death for us? Well He didn't HAVE to. But He WANTED to. That's right, when Jesus knew He had to save His creation, His children, us, He knew this was the only way.
Jesus hung on that cross, and died, all for LOVE. He loves us so much that He wanted to give us a way to be with Him forever. For eternity.
Jesus walked that long road to the cross, carrying that heavy cross on His shoulders. All of this after being beaten severely, being mocked that whole time, hardly able to stand. He reached that final place where He would be nailed to that cross with huge spikes. And the weight just kept getting heavier with the burdens of our sins on Him. Why did He continue? He could have said no at any time. But Jesus knew we would need Him forever. He knew we needed a way for redemption. Jesus knew we would face sin every day of our lives, therefore needing Him and His strength to fight for the right thing. And at times we do fail, so again we need Jesus to redeem us. The only way this was possible for us to have was Jesus to die on that cross, then in 3 days rise from that grave alive. In those 3 days Jesus went to the pit of hell, snatched the keys to heaven from the devil's hands and took all power and authority from him forever. Jesus rose from that grave victorious, for love's sake, for our sake. He rose in victory for us, that we have a way to be redeemed and forgiven, and that we can walk with Jesus every day of our lives because of His Holy Spirit.
When I think of the cross, that is what I think about. My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ going to battle for me so that I can have victory.
Jesus knows I am not perfect. I am far from perfect. But as long as I seek His face, strive to hear His voice in my heart, and do my best to live to honor Him, I know He is pleased and He will guide me every step of the way.
God didn't create us to be robots. He gave us a heart, a brain, ears, eyes, and our own will. He gave us a choice. That is one reason why the cross is so important. Because we all have our own will, we will fail. We will fall away from a relationship with Jesus unless we ask Him for forgiveness, and allow Him into our hearts. It is sin that separates us from Him. We are weak without Jesus in our lives.
As we approach Easter, I pray for you all, that you think about the cross. I pray you get your own vision in your mind about what the cross means to you. The most important thing is the cross was a vehicle God used, to enable us to have that close and loving relationship with Jesus. That close and personal relationship with Jesus.
Jesus is our strength, our Redeemer, our confidence, our counselor, our healer, and so much more.
Faithful readers, I pray you feel that love from Jesus today.
Take a moment and listen to this song.
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