6 April 2005 The Wonderful Cross

6 April 2005 The Wonderful Cross

It is a gory, bloody, messy view of reconciliation. The representation of the cross is ultimate death for those who choose the path and the life after death. It is a complete surrender of all that we hold dear. The significance of the cross to all of mankind will never be fully realize in this earth., but exalted greatly at our passing to the next.

I marvel at how easy it is top gloss over the truth of the cross and the brutality inflicted upon the flesh of the son of man and the son of God. How crucifixion is similar to the sacrifices at the altar and how we would escape the reality of both and refuse to look and the grotesqueness of each act. As we lay down our lives on the altar of sacrifice, the heat begins to burn up our flesh and unless we lie still, unto death, we will not attain the perfect plan of God in our lives.

1. Matthew 10:38
   and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

2. Matthew 16:24
   Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

3. Mark 8:34
   Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

4. Luke 9:23
   Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Without either the cross or the altar, there is no hope for our human condition and no future for our souls. It is the fullness of the realization of the work accomplished upon the cross, that causes us to willfully take up our own cross and put to death those things we cling to. It is the burnt sacrifice of our hollow lives that God will use up, as a valiant warrior to advance His kingdom and purposes. All these so glorious a life, yet nothing of worth, till we view the cross as the bridge to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 2:20:
²⁰I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Oh Sweet Jesus,

I purpose this day to serve you, to empty myself of all that resides in my soul and present this empty vessel for your use. I pray for your filling and anointing for you kingdom purposes. I rejoice in this day that you have made and delightfully and excitedly look forward to spending this day. There is no other place I would want to be and there is no greater gift have I been given than your battered and bruised Body on the Wonderful Cross. Thank You my divine Savior. Amen