In a sense, the entire Christian life is a series of steps closer and closer to the Cross of Calvary—with each step an arrival. Only as we draw close in prayer and meditation to the truth of what Christ did for us by willingly dying on that cross can we realize the enormity of the gift we have been given. And for many, that journey is a lifelong process.
Yet even from a distance, where we may have stood terrified and huddled together under some tree, we can see the love Christ displayed on the cross that day. Love for His mother as He asked His disciple John to care for her once He was gone. Love for the believing thief on the cross next to Him as He promised, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). Love for every man and woman created by His Father throughout history and beyond as He made the ultimate sacrifice for mankind. That means love for you and for me.
What do we see as we draw closer? That Jesus didn’t just pay the price for our sin, rather He took on all the sin of the world so that nobody anywhere would have to suffer eternal consequences for being less than perfect. When John the Baptist first saw Jesus on the shore of the Jordan River he said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Believe. Come to the cross, and your sin, past, present and future, is gone. Not rationalized or sugar-coated in some way. Gone. As is the guilt of that sin. You are completely forgiven.
The Bible promises that if we also humble ourselves in the eyes of the Lord that He will lift us up. Are you there at the foot of the cross? If you haven’t taken that journey, there’s no better time than this Easter. Fall to your knees in humility and worship the One whose resurrection from the dead we celebrate on Easter Sunday! Accept His unconditional forgiveness. You are welcome at the foot of the cross.
These words come to mind from the hymn, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross:
Were the whole Realm of Nature mine,
That were a Present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my Soul, my Life, my All.
Yes! This will be part of a lesson in Volume Two of The Hope of Glory and that’s one of the hymns I suggest they sing! Love it. Thanks, Jan.
Way to really preach the Gospel, Nancy! We all need to be so bold, that what Jesus commissioned us to do!
Miss you, Jimmie
It does seem like it’s more important than ever, Jimmie. Miss you, too!
Thank you, Nancy, for these great thoughts,. They bring it all right back to the cross where Jesus showed us love from the heart. Have a God-blessed Easter. Betty
Thanks, Betty. You have a blessed Easter, too!
Nothing can touch me the way the cross does. I think of the precious people I adore and how I never want them to suffer any pain. Then it brings tears to my eyes thinking how God the Father must have felt sending Christ, His only begotten, much beloved, perfect Son to suffer on the cross. For me. Because I have sinned.
Sometime when you want to be humbled by the love of God, listen to this song, Before the Throne of God Above: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ6QaZcPphM&list=RDEQ6QaZcPphM&start_radio=1&t=6
I especially like the second verse.
Beautiful, Pat! Thank you.
It is Friday . . . but Sunday is coming!
For sure!