The Throne of Love

We venerate the cross as a safeguard of faith, as the strengthening of hope and the throne of love. It is the sign of mercy, the proof of forgiveness, the vehicle of grace and the banner of peace. We venerate the cross, because it has broken down our pride, shattered our envy, redeemed our sin and atoned for our punishment.

The cross of Christ is the door to heaven, the key to paradise, the downfall of the devil, the uplifting of mankind, the consolation of our imprisonment, the  prize for our freedom. The cross was the hope of the patriarchs, the promise of the prophets, the triumph of kings and the ministry of priests. Tyrants are convicted by the cross and the mighty ones defeated, it lifts up the miserable and honors the poor. The cross is the end of darkness, the spreading of light, the flight of death, the ship of life and the kingdom of salvation.

Whatever we accomplish for God, whatever we succeed and hope for, is the fruit of our veneration of  the cross. By the cross Christ draws everything to him. It is the kingdom of the Father, the scepter of the Son and the seal of the Holy Spirit, a witness to the total Trinity.

The answer of a Christian reflection on Genesis is that sin has to be taken away, removed from human life. Not only do human beings have to cease doing the things that cause evil and further ruin, the things that deserve penalization, but also the sinful state of the human race that causes those actions has to be changed. The disease that leads to death has to be healed. Sinfulness has to be eradicated; true health, true life, has to be given. Human beings need a Redeemer, someone who can rescue them from the misfortune into which they have fallen and restore them to true life.

What We Behold on the Cross

As they were looking on, so we too gaze on his wounds as he hangs. We see his blood as he dies. We see the price offered by the redeemer, touch the scars of his resurrection. He bows his head, as if to kiss you. His heart is made bare open, as it were, in love to you. His arms are extended that he may embrace you. His whole body is displayed for your redemption. Ponder how great these things are. Let all this be rightly weighed in your mind: as he was once fixed to the cross in every part of his body for you, so he may now be fixed in every part of your soul. 

God Has Reigned from a Tree
a hymn for Passiontide by Venantius Fortunatus (c.530-610) 

The standards of the King appear, 
the mystery of the cross shines out in glory, 
the cross on which life suffered death 
and by that death gave back life to us. His side, wounded by the spear's cruel point, 
poured out water and blood 
to wash away the stains of our sins.
The words of David's true prophetic song were fulfilled, 
in which he announced to the nations: 
"God has reigned from a tree."
Tree of dazzling beauty, 
adorned with the purple of the King's blood, 
and chosen from a stock 
worthy to bear limbs so sacred.
How favoured the tree 
on whose branches hung the ransom of the world; 
it was made a balance on which his body was weighed, 
and bore away the prey that hell had claimed.
Hail, cross, our only hope! 
In this season of passiontide 
give an increase of grace to the good 
and wipe out the sins of the guilty.
Let every spirit praise you, 
fount of salvation, Holy Trinity. 
On those to whom you have generously given the 
victory of the cross, 
bestow the reward also. Amen.

The Cross

The Cross means more than just a pendent in a chain around your neck or a bumper sticker in your automobile. It really means more than that. The greatest work of 'Christ Jesus' was accomplished on the 'Cross of Calvary' when He laid down His life for us. The love of God was manifested on the Cross of Calvary. Cross is a sign of VICTORY.

What does the cross do for you?

1. Victory over Sin:

God has not appointed us to wrath but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us. (1 Thes 5:9,10) Jesus said on the Cross, "It is finished" which means there is nothing which is incomplete when Jesus died for us.1 Pet 2:24 says 'who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness... Rom 5:8 says 'But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

It is so easy to do something for someone who is good. But while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. This love is ultimate. He took the penalty of our sin on Himself. He became SIN for us. Isn't that great?

2. Victory over sickness:

The body of Christ was nailed to the cross. His body was broken for our healing.

1 Pet 2:24 says...by whose stripes you were healed. Is 53:45 says 'Surely He has borne our grief And carried our sorrows...by His stripes we are healed'. Divine healing is provided in the atonement of Christ's redeeming work on the Cross. Matt 8:17 says,' He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.

Are you hurting in your body? Jesus wants to heal you. Claim your healing in the name of Jesus. He has said "Ask and you shall receive"(Matt 7:7). He has paid it all. He took your sickness in His body. Say it out loud in faith,"I am healed by the stripes of Jesus" Soon you will see your body getting healed.

3. Victory over Satan:

Gen 3:14,15; The Lord God said....He shall bruise your head... which means the Seed of woman would someday crush the serpent's head. The Lord Jesus has trampled Satan at the Cross. Rom 16:20 says...and the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. Our victory is a continuation of Christ's victory when He bruised the head of the serpent on the Cross of Calvary.

Jesus said," I give you authority to trample on serpents and scopions, and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you (Lk 10:19). Jesus said in Mk 16:17,"In my name you shall cast out demons" Take that authority in the name of Jesus and cast the enemy out. Jesus has made you more than a conqueror. He always causes you to triumph. Hallelujah!

4. Victory over Curses:

Curses are contrary to the blessing. They stop you from receiving your promised blessing. The Bible says in Gal 3:13, 'Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having 'become a curse for us' for it is written, Cursed is every one who hangs on a tree, that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus...

The Lord Jesus not only redeems us from the curse, but he brings to pass the blessing of Abraham into our lives. This was made possible because of the Cross.

What is your response?

Step 1:

Invite Jesus into your life: This is the most significant thing, which you could do in this lifetime. This is the key to every blessing. By faith in His atoning work on the Cross of Calvary, you can be washed clean from every sin. Have you invited Jesus into your life? The 'message of the Cross' is the 'power of God' (1 Cor 1:18) Do you need the power of God in your life?

Step 2:

Crucify your flesh: Gal 5:24, Paul says And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Peter said in 1 Pet 2:11"...abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.Christ has given you power through the Spirit of God who lives within you, to crucify the lusts of the flesh and walk in the Spirit. Christ paid the supreme sacrifice of laying down His own life so that you can live in one hundred percent victory over your flesh. Let your flesh be crucified.

Let us says with Paul,"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me".

Step 3:

Pick up your Cross and follow Him: Jesus said in Matt 10:38,"He who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me". What is required here is a willingness to give one's life sacrificially for the Master. Your motto should be pleasing the Lord Jesus and not yourself, that is 'denying yourself'. Each one has our own crosses to pick up. Are we willing to pick it up and follow Him? That is what He wants.

May the Lord Jesus help you crucify your flesh, pick up your Cross every day and follow Him.