The Cross
One of the most precious symbols of our faith is the
cross. It decorates our churches, we
sing about it in songs, it hangs around our necks, and some of us even have it as a tattoo. It so penetrates our lives that we can hardly
go a day without seeing at least one. If
we are not careful, though, it can become a kind of idol to us. There is nothing wrong with keeping it as a
reminder of what has been done for us, but we have to keep it in the right
perspective. It is a symbol of the One we worship, not an object of worship. The cross, in itself has no power. It is the One who made the sacrifice for us on the cross and then walked
out of the tomb who deserves our worship and devotion. The power for saving souls and transforming lives comes from Christ, not the cross on which He gave His life.
He was pierced for our transgressions, He was
crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him,
and by His stripes we are healed. Those
words were written by the prophet Isaiah hundreds of years before our Lord's
crucifixion. They speak of hope; a hope
that is found in the sacrifice of a loving God.
He gave His very best for us in spite of our constant choice to run
after our own desires. That kind of love
has the power to transform us. When we respond to His grace through faith it changes everything. But, it is Him and His sacrifice that we celebrate when we worship not the implement of His death. I pray
that every time you see a cross that you will remember the great love that was
spilled out on it for you and for me. May it be a symbol of the One we love, and a reminder of all that He has done for us.
