Thursday, June 2, 2011

The Shadow of The Cross

As a little child I always wanted to walk in my Dad's shadow. He was my hero and still is today. I knew if I could stand in his shadow that I would be protected and feel his strength. When I surrendered my life to the Lord I found myself standing in the midst of another shadow, which was the Cross. I think about what if there had not been a Cross or what if Jesus changed His mind at the end? But, Jesus Christ didn't give up on us! He was faithful to complete His purpose and that was the Cross. When we come to the Cross it brings everything into perspective as Christ gives us life and His peace. Christ was at the center of God's will as He went to the Cross and died a gruesome death in our place. The Bible clearly shows us that God's plan included the Cross. Jesus came to fulfill the Old Testament prophecy found in Isaiah 53:4-5 "Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But He was pierced through fore our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him." What stood out in this passage of Scripture is that our sins and the penalty fell upon Him. What falls upon us? The shadow of the Cross where there is forgiveness and mercy. The mistake that many Christians make is that they visit the Cross once to receive salvation but they never return just to gaze upon the wonderful Cross. The Cross is where our sins and forgiveness met and Christ's blood triumphed. Ozwald Chambers once said "All heaven is interested in the Cross of Christ, all Hell terribly afraid of it, while men are the only beings who more or less ignore its meaning." We must never forget that we are forever under the shadow of the Cross. What took place there on Calvary's Hill will forever be imprinted on the inside of Jesus' hands and feet. The blood that was shed on the Cross purifies our blatant sins against a Holy God. There is power in the Cross because of who hung there over 2, 000 years ago and three days later conquered death and the grave. Today, if you are searching for the significance of life come under the shadow of the Cross. If you are struggling in your marriage or relationships come under the shadow of the Cross. If you are battling addictions or hopelessness come under the shadow of the Cross and meet the Risen Lord who loves and cares for you! The shadow of the Cross is where I choose to reside. What shadow has fallen upon you?

1 comment:

  1. I love, love, love reading your loving words! God bless you for being such a servant to our Father in Heaven:)

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