The meaning of the cross

We come empty-handed. At the cross we find that we have nothing to give, but everything to gain. Like a child, I am in need of grace, mercy and forgiveness which is ultimately found in what Christ displayed for us on the cross.

The patterns of selfishness, the way we missed the mark, the shame and failure follows us to the cross. A heavy load we can’t let go of, until now. To cover something means to hide and keep it out of the light. We band-aid a wound for a time, but we must let the light in for healing to be complete and a scar to form. Unloading the weight of sin at the cross of Christ, He offers us a better way. To cleanse something means to transform it to the deepest level, removing its impurities and revealing the truest white. This is what His blood shed on the cross does to that burden of sin.

Hear what Paul says about His Lord’s willingness to give His life on Good Friday, “He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion. Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.” (Philippians 2, MSG)

When it comes to the cross, I am speechless. And, at the same time, I can’t help but worship. I love these words from the hymn “Blessed Assurance”:

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long

-Fanny Crosby

May Good Friday be a new day to experience Jesus like never before.

-Becca

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