Seek the Cross

I was driving (and even going the speed limit) when my thoughts wandered. I thought about how the wrong things I do separate me from God. I remembered how this breach in our relationship is absolutely un-repairable…at least from my side. And even though this mess I am in (and our world is in) is completely my own fault (and our own fault), God said, “I’ve got a plan to fix that.”
I thought about Jesus as God’s plan and the perfect life He lived. I considered the cruel death He died in my place. I rejoiced in His resurrection from the dead -- which assures all who trust in Him eternal life – because if He could raise Himself, He will raise us too.
And after all that, I thought, “Well, of course, God did that. Of course, I am assured everlasting life. That is all obvious! I’m ready for something deeper.” That is where I stopped in my tracks. The Cross and the Resurrection is the mystery of our faith – there is nothing deeper.
It’s the mystery of why God would love a bunch of rebels, why a King would sacrifice His Son to save slaves, and why the Prince would be willing die to rescue peasants. It’s the puzzle of how people actively opposed to God are awakened to their desperate need of Him today and trust Him forever. It’s the testimony of how those who trust Jesus as Savior and follow Him as Lord of their lives are radically transformed and used by God so others may seek the cross.
There is nothing deeper than that.
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory.”
~ 1 Timothy 3:16

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