Showing posts with label the Cross. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the Cross. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

They All Weigh The Same


Jesus didn't just die for some of us because our sin wasn't too bad. And he didn't die for some of us because our sin was bad enough.  He died to redeem ALL of us from the prison of our sins.  The "big" sins, and the "small" sins.  He didn't pick and chose which sins he would carry up to the cross.  He felt the weight of each and every one of them. 

photo - publicdomainpictures.net

Sin is sin.  It's all the same in God's eyes.  We can play the justification game in our head.  You know the one... "well, at least I've never done that!"  But my sin was nailed up on that cross right along with yours - and everyone Else's.

We don't like to think about it.  We like to look at the Cross and focus on the after.  What came next.  The redemption.  The salvation.  That's all well and good.  It's great, in fact.  BETTER than great.  But especially during this Lenten season - until we acknowledge the sin and all the judgement and justice which it deserved, how can we fully appreciate the fullness of the gift of the forgiving?

 
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Monday, April 28, 2014

That Cross

That Cross.  That empty Cross.  

The sacrificial altar where Jesus - battered, broken, scarred - was given over to death, so that he could carry sin into the grave.


photo: publicdomainpictures.net

Only to rise again on the third day into new life. Freedom.  Leaving sin behind him in the darkness.  

The Cross where sin was carried away and left in the realm of death.

photo: publicdomainpictures.net

So that new life could burst forth and be mine.  Freeing me from the burden.  Into a bright new morning.

Amen!!

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Friday, April 18, 2014

The Cross Is Personal

The cross is personal for me.  

I realize that I am responsible for the death of Christ on that cross.  

Just as much as anyone else at any time in history or the future.  

It was me.  

He took my punishment.  My beatings.  My cross.  He took my place. 

I can not remove or distance myself from that.


Had He not taken that upon Himself for all of us me; it would be mine to bear.

The pain, the punishment, the scorn, the death. 

Jesus in my place.

And that makes the cross personal.  It's mine. That cross was meant for me



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Sunday, March 31, 2013

A Spirit of Gratitude: Easter Edition

I AM THANKFUL FOR:

The Cross

The empty tomb

Forgiveness for sins

God’s grace and mercy

Coloring eggs with the family

The smell of ham in the oven

Easter baskets

Jelly beans

Marshmallow bunnies

Easter egg hunts

Pretty Easter outfits