My posts are slower these days. In part it is the demanding pace of my day job, but recently I have felt “stuck”. You might say “stuck at the Cross”.
The Cross, taking in what Jesus willingly endured, describing what it means for the world, having what it means for me penetrate me—all of it, is hard to move past.
Here are just a few thoughts.
When I consider what Jesus willingly endured, I am overwhelmed. It is gruesome; it is brutal; it is excruciating. Words fail to describe it. I remember when I watched the movie The Passion of the Christ, there were times at his scourging I had to close my eyes.
Scripture tells us, in a complete and comprehensive manner, that Jesus death on the Cross was indeed God’s plan before the ages. Colossians 1:19-20 tells us the fullness of God dwelled in him, and, that this person who is fully man, and fully God, dealt with all the sin of the world, reconciled the world (both in heaven and earth), and made peace with God, through the blood of the Cross. 1 Peter 1:20 tells us this was known before the foundations of the world were set.
Beyond the cosmic eternal impact of the Cross, its impact is personal. 1 Peter 2:24 captures this thought: He bore my sins on the Cross, so that I might die to sin and live rightly. Colossians 2:14 and Galatians 3:13 proclaims his death on the Cross removes my penalty of sin, which is death.
But here is the situation:
Considering all that Jesus went through for me, I think it should drive me from ever sinning again—but it does not.
That fact that I keep on sinning embarrasses me. My sin evokes in me multiple feelings. Feelings like, “I mustn’t really love Jesus.” Or, “Maybe I am not a real follower of Jesus.”
Yet those are all lies, from the Father of Lies. Satan wants to not only use my sin to separate me from God. He wants to use it to keep me from God. It is these moments of guilt, that I should be running to the Cross—not away.
How does the Cross affect you? Can you stand under it?