Cross

Looking to Jesus

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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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 KJV

On those mornings when we feel disappointed or discouraged and start to complain we have a choice. We can look around at our gloomy situation or we can look to Jesus. Maybe we will choose best by remembering how Jesus chose and then humbly following Him with joyful hearts! I loved this song and video by Eric Kilgore. It reminds me that Jesus was thinking more of me than of His gloomy situation as He carried the cross and it also reminds me of the joy of Jesus Christ. I pray that you will also be blessed and encouraged this Sunday wherever you are. It is always good to remember again that He remembered you and me!

Why is There a Cross – On Top of the Steeple?

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And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. John 12:32 KJV

Have you ever wondered why most churches have a cross at the top of their steeples, or that hundreds of millions of Christians wear crosses around their necks? It certainly isn’t stated anywhere in the Bible that we are supposed to do this – and yet we do.

In fact, when we think about the events of the gospel it might seem more appropriate to have an empty tomb on the roof showing the victory of Jesus over death or a throne showing that He is King of the universe. But there is something about the cross that attracts us to Jesus. But maybe we shouldn’t be surprised. Jesus told us that when He was lifted up that He would draw people to himself. Jesus healed lepers, multiplied bread, and walked on water but the lepers went home, the bread eaters stopped following and even Peter who had walked on water with Him, denied knowing Him. But on the cross things began to happen no could have imagined. At the cross, a thief believed and was promised paradise, and a Roman soldier cried out that He was the Son of God. Nicodemus came and boldly requested to give Jesus a proper burial and even His enemies remembered His claim of resurrection and asked for the tomb to be guarded and sealed. Repentance and faith, remembering His words and watching the tomb all began at the cross. The cross calls for us to take a stand and gives a place where we can see and believe that Jesus is God’s Son. So keep putting the cross where everyone can see because He has promised that when He is lifted up that He will draw all men to Him!

Fragrance of the Sacrifice

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And live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

I have often wondered about the prayer Jesus prayed in Gethsemane. The awesome power that Jesus had to command wind and waves and to raise the dead was humbled in His plea to be delivered from the cross. He could have miraculously hidden himself again or struck down a thousand soldiers by a word and yet He struggled and sweat blood as He yielded Himself to His Father’s will and the shame and suffering that lay ahead.

He could have prayed; “I know I have to die so let’s just get this over.” In sullen acceptance, but instead He yielded His heart in love. How often I have prayed and given grudgingly but without surrender? I dodge the bullet of disobedience but miss the mark of true sacrifice.

But because Jesus gave His life in loving obedience, Peter was brought to full repentance, Nicodemus had opportunity to be courageous and a thief was brought to paradise. A rich man had the chance to learn how to give and just three days later Mary Magdalene got to be the first to see Him risen and alive. These all received because Jesus gave himself willingly. They became a part of the fragrance of the offering of Jesus. So what about this morning? Will we surrender whatever is in our hands today to God? Will we willingly let go of what is ours to gain something for others? Will we surrender and follow our Lord and offer a sacrifice with a sweet fragrance to God today?