The Cross

The cross. Before Christ the cross was known at the "accursed tree". It was an instrument of torture. It was a place where hardened and wicked criminals were punished. It was a mark of deep shame and disgrace.

That all changed when Christ died on the cross for us. I like what my devotional had to say about it. "It is not an accident or a tragedy, but the universal sign of God's love for sinful man. The cross is the only adequate explanation of John 3:16. Our Father was not compelled to permit the cross; His love for us constrained Him. Willingly Christ gave His life because He loved us and desired us to live with Him in His eternal kingdom." - Streams in the Desert, Vol. 2 (Sept. 6).

I like what Romans 8:31-39 has to say about this.

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, "For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered." But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, no life, no angels, nor principalities, no things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created things, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

My study notes say of these verses that no one can condemn us because, 1) Christ died for us; 2) He is alive and seated at the right hand of God, the position of power; and 3) He is interceding for us.

These verses also say that our suffering doesn't separate us from Christ. But what it does do is carry us towards our ultimate goal.

These verses also say that it is impossible to go beyond the reach of God's love.

Love is something that I sometimes can not define. I know when I feel loved and I know when I feel love towards others. Receiving or giving has the same affect upon me. I feel safe, warm, joyful, giddy, protective/protected, longing and secure. But in order to love and be loved you have to know how to trust. When you love someone and know they love you, you are putting your trust in their hands. Love costs and if we're willing to pay the price we know the wonderful joy it brings into our lives.

Jesus went to the cross loving us so much that He was willing to give His life up for us. He loved His Father so much that He was willing to obey Him at all cost, even the cost of His life. We look back at what He did for us on the cross and feel the love that radiates from it for us. We feel the safe, warm, joyful, giddy, protected and secure feeling from the One who saved us through pain, torture, shame and disgrace. Jesus knew the price love would cost Him and yet, He gave us His all.

Under and Eastern sky
Amid the rabble cry,
A man went forth to die
For me!

Thorn-crowned His blessed head,
Blood-stained His every tread,
To Calvary He was Led
For me!

The cross. At one time it was the "accursed tree" full of pain, torture, shame and disgrace. Now, it is a sign of love, forgiveness and eternal life. Love lead Christ to Calvary.

Krista Jones
9.6.08

The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible