Cross

The Message of the Cross

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For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV

As I write this I am just one day away from returning to in-person singing with my friends at Watermark Assisted Living and another week from two other facilities. I can hardly wait to hear everyone’s voice and see their faces! Sometimes I joke about God’s top ten hits and I would wager dollars to donuts that “The Old Rugged Cross” is in the top five of everyone’s favorites.  It has a special power to touch our hearts because it carries transforming God’s message to our hearts.

I sometimes wonder why Paul didn’t preach about the resurrection or the great life we could experience as Christians. But, God doesn’t change lives, by demanding that we be good or by amazing us with miracles. Instead He sent His Son Jesus to the cross to die in our place. People in Paul’s day thought that his preaching about the crucifixion of Jesus was foolish. Today is no different. Our society looks to the politically powerful, or the talented of Hollywood as examples of what life is all about. But the truth is that yesterday’s politicians are forgotten quicker than an ice cube on the sidewalk in July and that the beauty of the movie stars fades with the years. But the cross of Jesus and the message of His blood that was shed for us are still remembered after 2,000 years. Every time we receive the cup and the bread, they remind us that true change begins by only by confession of our sins and that lasting change starts by faith in the cross of Christ. As we start a new phase of life coming back from 13 months of Covid-19 shutdown, let’s go back to where it all began: the message of the cross of Jesus Christ! God bless you and maybe I’ll see you soon!

Considering the power and holiness of the Cross of Jesus I am sharing here a simple rendering from Lor of the song Holy Holy Holy and How Great Thou Art. I love the simplicity of her style. It slows me downs and helps me to remember all the words of these familiar hymns.

So Much More

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So Much More!

Much more was the grace
 That cried Father forgive
On that long ago dark afternoon
When with His last strength our Lord Jesus cried out
These people know not what they do

First was Judas who sold His Lord out
And there was Pilate who bowed to the crowd
And Herod who mocked Him and had him bound
And the High Priests who rejected His word

And the throng who were shouting “Crucify Him!”
Then the soldiers who nailed Him hard to the wood
And one thief who still refused to believe
And the one whose spear drew His last blood

These all were His enemies much more forgiven
But there is one more I finally found 
That guy was the man who ran from God’s love
Till His grace so much more tracked me down!

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. Romans 5:10 ESV

So Much More by Peter Caligiuri copyright 2021 all rights reserved

On Monday Morning

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And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:38‭-‬39 ESV

And now it is Monday morning and the miracles, the drama with both the sorrows and joy of Holy week behind. What will we do with all that lies ahead?

What did the soldiers do who had guarded his tomb? Did Joseph of Arimathea open his shop, did Nicodemus go to the synagogue for morning prayer. And when His disciples and Mary, and Pontius Pilate woke to the same sunrise what thoughts passed through their minds?

Did they remember the earthquake and darkness? Did they speak of the tears, the gambling for the robe and the spear? Or will the shock, the amazement and the vision of angels on Sunday morning crowd out all other memories?

Or maybe some recalled His tenderness He touched one leper, stood in silent defense of the adulteress and raised a widow’s son to life? How often would they speak of loaves multiplied, waves stilled and blind eyes that could see? Or will we remember His words? Will their power still our seas, transform our ordinary moments and change forever the self seeking attitudes that govern our everyday lives? Will we be meek? Be listening? Wash feet? Give quietly to the poor? He died on Friday, rested on Saturday, rose on Easter Sunday and is now walking ahead of us on Monday. And more than all these, will we remember and take our own cross and follow Jesus Christ?