There is a lot that has been said about the cross and along with it many perceptions about what it is and not, what it should be and shouldn’t .
Most of us have used it as a fashion statement or as an ornament that denote various groups and lifestyles .Some outfits just don’t seem complete without hanging a shiny cross on the neck , either huge and chunky or the less obvious tiny ones and in some cases worn as ear rings ,anklets, you name it.
For some it’s just another symbol with ancient origins of past civilizations while to others a sign of condemnation ,judgment ,rebuke.
In ancient times it was used as a form of capital punishment ,where the offender would be whipped and then finally impaled to a stake or cross and left there to either bleed to death or die of asphyxiation. It was the most excruciating pain one would have to bear for their wrongdoing also aimed to shame the victim.
Yet there was one who willingly took this shame ,this agony and death on your behalf ,on my behalf. Now that’s real Love . I no longer believe anybody who tells me they would cross the oceans for me let alone catch a grenade for me!
The amazing thing is , He had not committed any crime as heinous as the death he endured. He was without sin , holy, pure, righteous. A beautiful exchange happened in his death. All our wrongdoings ,wrong think-ings and sin that we ever did and will ever do were impaled on that cross with him ,his blood was shed so that it can purify us all. Records show that he died for only 3 days and resurrected and sits in heaven with the LORD Almighty. And in exchange for his death, we received his righteousness and eternal life . For those who simply believed in him ,they got eternal life ( once you die and are buried on this earth ,you will still live on with him in his dwelling!)
Instead of shame and rebuke that we so rightly deserve after messing up , getting caught in the wrong side of the law ,almost ruining our lives ,wrecking our relationships and even trying to take away our very own lives ,he offers grace and mercy. Don’t get me wrong ,there is always consequence for our actions but as long as you are with him ,he will give you grace and mercy even when you know that you don’t deserve it.
You may have heard of the one I’m referring to but if not ,his name is Jesus. So today when I look at the cross ,it reminds me of his undying love for me that he willingly bit the bullet for me and you! If that isn’t love then tell me what is.
By believing in him ,he forgives you your sins even when it’s hard to forgive yourself ,and looks at you just as if you’d done nothing wrong. There will be no shame, no condemnation ,as many of us have been told to believe.
The cross reminds me that I have been made whole again ,just by believing that he died in my place so that I can live , so one becomes a new person ,with a new mind .He lets you start fresh ,aren’t we all looking for a fresh start ? A clean break of some sort? Well if you are then jump on it.
In him (if you hang out with him n trust him) there is eternal life even though you die and leave this world , peace even when you are in a storm, grace even when you know you don’t deserve it ,mercy when what you should be getting is a whopping ,hope in even in the disparaging moments and best of all eternal love even when you feel unlovable.
ComeFullCircle 