The Cross

Good Friday is the day when we remember the crucifixion of Jesus, but there's more to it than just remembrance. We want to embrace the resurrection, but there is no resurrection without the Cross. The Cross is the road to Easter. There is no Easter Sunday without Good Friday. For different people, the Cross means different things. For some, it is an ornament. For some, it is a good-luck charm. For some, it is a tool to fight the devil! As Christians, we use the symbol of the Cross for everything. In fact, there is no ceremony without the Cross. But the question that is facing us today is, what does the Cross mean to you and me personally.

For Jesus, Cross meant ‘Action.' The Bible says in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Jesus went to the Cross so that you and I should not die in our sins but gain eternal life because of His sacrifice!

Jesus is calling us today to the Cross!

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." (Matthew 16:24). Our cross is not our family or our spouse or our job. If we have to live a life of obedience to the Word of God, then we have to crucify our ‘self' on the Cross. All sin is self-centered. Every time we refuse to give in to the lust of the eyes and the cravings of the flesh, we are taking up our cross and following Jesus. Every time we refuse to harbor un-forgiveness and forgive those who have hurt us deeply, we are taking up our cross and following Jesus. Every time we make an effort to love the unlovable and the unkind, we are taking up our cross and following Jesus! Paul says in Romans 6:16, "Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?"

My friend, let us deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Jesus by obeying Him. May the Lord help us for there is no glory without the Cross.

Categories: Weekly DevotionalsAuthor: Hephzibah StephenDate: 17th April 2019 Share: newsletterDisplay date: 17th April 2019

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