Cross: November 29, 2011

NOVEMBER 29 2011. TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2011

CROSS

DEFINITION:

Two intersecting bars or lines; a structure consisting of an upright and a transverse piece upon which prisoners were formally put to death such as the cross upon which Jesus died.

SCRIPTURE:

If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross. Matthew 27:40.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also the Greek. Romans 1:16.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Have you ever stopped to think that the cross that Jesus Christ died on presents us with a dilemma? If God is good and loving, which He is, why would He allow His only Son to endure the agony of a crucifixion? From our human perspective there is nothing loving or good in seeing Christ on the cross.

But if we look beyond what we see visibly, we will see an awesome view of love. To grasp what we see we first must understand that the Lord is absolutely righteous and good. He always does what is right and never acts contrary to His Word. But on the other hand, man is sinful and deserving of eternal punishment because of our sins.

God had several choices. He could have just forgiven us but then He would cease to be just. Justice requires a penalty to be paid for sin. This is true today in our judicial system so it should be easy for us to understand. Either the Lord has to condemn us to suffer His wrath for our sin, or He needed to devise a plan that would satisfy His justice and allow Him to show mercy.

The scene at the cross at which Jesus died demonstrated the power of God in what appears to be the weakest moment in His Son’s life. With hands and feet nailed to the rough wood of the cross, Jesus looked totally helpless. Adding to this seemingly helpless feeling was that He stayed on the cross while the crowd was jeering. They were yelling at Jesus asking, “If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” (Verse above)

Divine love kept Jesus on that cross. Strength is demonstrated in determined endurance. The power of God held Jesus on that cross. We know that with one spoken word He could have been free but Christ hung on that cross until our salvation was attained.

The power of the cross did not end when Jesus finished His suffering and died. His death opened up the door of salvation to all people who walk through it and by faith ask for forgiveness for their sin. This act then assures a place in heaven for all who believe.

God had this plan for us even before the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8. Yes, the sinless Son of God came to earth in human flesh to be our sin bearer. Justice punished the sin and mercy rescued the sinner. There is power in the CROSS!

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Revelation 3:20.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

PRAYER:

Help my family to let the power of the cross do its work in our lives every day. May we be a family that with every step we take and every word we say be motivated by the mighty work of God in our lives.