Reflections on the Cross

We refer to today as "Good Friday." This is the day that we reflect on the death of Christ on the cross; we are encouraged to remember the great and precious price that was paid for our sins. The day of crucifixion was a great day for humanity but a difficult one for our Savior. Throughout this week the Spirit has kept reminding me that the story of the cross must be more than a "story." I must move beyond the facts and reflect on the significance of the event that took place. The death of Christ on the cross was not one of beauty; He died a terrible death that I would have the opportunity to become a part of the family of God. The opportunity of forgiveness of my sins and your sins required that our Savior literally offer His life as a living sacrifice in my place. He did not deserve to be on the cross yet He willingly took my place. Hebrews 12:2 teaches us an interesting aspect of that day on the cross; "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (NKJV) We must always remember that Jesus was the author (originator) of our faith. The source of our faith is Jesus Christ and His death on the cross. Not only is He the source of our faith but He will be the One that will complete or finish what He has started in us. We began this journey by faith and we will finish by faith. The old song declares "we have come this far by faith..." The scripture also teaches that Jesus endured the cross. Jesus did not die an easy death. Crucifixion was a horrible form of death for those who had broken the laws of Rome yet Christ "endured" that the terms of our ransom could be met. I am still amazed that He would die in my place and allow me to exchange my sins for His righteousness. Let us look beyond the cultural approach to Easter (clothes, egg hunts, and family meals) and remember the spiritual impact that the death of Christ has made on humanity. He died that we might live through the power of His Spirit that lives in us. Let us also understand that He ascended back into Heaven and He reigns in power and majesty. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. The Apostle Paul in the letter to the church at Philippi gave us a look at the risen Christ. Philippians 2:9-11,"Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." It is no wonder that the song writer declared "Oh what a Savior." As we move toward Resurrection Sunday let us remember our Savior and all that He faced and endured so that we could walk in the freedom of deliverance from sin. We can not afford to forget all that Christ suffered that we could live in the power of relationship with God. In the midst of your busy day find some quiet time and offer God a prayer of thanksgiving for making Himself available to you and to fallen mankind. "OH WHAT A SAVIOR!"