The Cross

Let's talk about the sacrifice made at the cross. Many times we prefer to look at the 'pretty' side of being a Christian and ignore the not so pretty aspects of it. When doing that we close our eyes, not only to our own not so pretty attributes, but to the ugliness of what Christ endured for us. There is nothing pretty about crucifixion!!

There are so many preachers, TV evangelist and Christians in general that focus on 'feel good' Christianity. They are popular ministries. We need to live the victorious life Christ sacrificed to give us but not lose sight of the real cost involved.

As missionaries of the Great Commission, we are to take the gospel to people that do not know of Jesus. We tell them of the benefits of Christ in their lives. We would be remiss, however, if we did not explain the depths of the sacrifice He made on our behalf. Sin is ugly and unacceptable to God. We are sinful, therefore, the ugliness is in us. The very blood of Christ pouring from His body as He was beaten, then hung on the cross, is the only thing that covers us from God's vengeance for our sin.

Please take some time to really meditate on that. Maybe in your quiet time at home or the car, anywhere, just do it! How can we NOT love the One that took that beating and excruciating death just for us? It IS personal, very, VERY personal and relevant to your life and faith walk.

The moment you realize Christ would have gone through the same thing even if YOU were the only person involved, the only sinner He was dying for, the only reason for His life on earth and consequent death on the cross.....in that moment, your heart changes. Your spiritual eyes are opened and you see, really see what His sacrifice meant. Your spiritual ears hear scripture with an understanding you did not have before. All of a sudden, Jesus isn't just some guy in the Bible, He's a walking talking God that allowed Himself to be tortured for you; Christ becomes real.

If Christ is all about feeling good about yourself because you show up at church now and then, you might need to take another trip to the foot of the cross. Think about all this and see where you are. Maybe you've known Christ a while now but the warm fuzzies are all gone and you've slipped into a comfort zone; perhaps you have more passion about what happens in an end zone than you do for Jesus. Some people can get whipped into a frenzy at a sporting event but are appalled and repelled by passion exhibited for the only One worthy of such adoration and honor.

Eternity is a LONG, LONG time......Jesus is the only way you will spend that time in heaven. Hell, well, Hell will keep you so tortured you won't have much time for anything but wishing you knew Jesus.

I'd say I'm sorry for making this so long, but I'm not. My heart aches for everyone to know Jesus intimately. Jesus on the cross may not be pretty like in a holy holiday play but it is THIS Jesus we need to know. If I climb on my soapbox in hopes of reaching someone, even just one, I'll climb on up!