DEVOTION ~ SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CROSS

Theme: Significance of the Cross

Text: The Gospels 

Today marks Good Friday on the Christian calendar, to recall the suffering of Jesus on the Cross at Golgotha. The Lord's death on the cross is to redeem lost souls of all humanity and to reconcile us to the Father. The message of the Cross is foolishness to those perishing (those still in darkness) but to us the Christians, it is a message of hope unto salvation (1 Corinthians 1:18). Our Lord Jesus said seven things on the cross which we shall look into to shape us in this season.

These sayings can be found in the Gospels and are represented as such; 

1. Luke 23:34: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

2. Luke 23:43: Verily, I say unto you today, thou shalt be with Me in paradise.

3. John 19:26–27: Woman, behold thy son. (Says to disciple) Behold thy mother.

4. Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34: My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? 

5. John 19:28: I thirst.

6. John 19:30: It is finished.

7. Luke 23:46: Father, into Thy Hands I commit My Spirit. 

The above sayings of Jesus can be categorized as: Forgiveness, Salvation, Relationship, Abandonment, Distress, Triumph and Reunion. Let's digest these in the below ways:

 Dear beloved in the Lord, Christ has demonstrated to us the need to forgive the sins of each other. We need to forgive the sins of others the way we want God to forgive us as well. Forgiveness paves the way to salvation. An unrepentant soul has nothing to do with God's Kingdom. When we come to Christ, we need to establish a good relationship with God and with the beloved in the Lord. Relationships must be well strengthened so as to keep us together. (Matthew 6:12-15; 1 John 4:7-11)

Though we may draw near to God, yet there are moments of of anguish and distress. We may feel abandoned by all and the imagination of God not there may be printed in our hearts, but that's the deceitful voice of darkness speaking to us. God is ever present with us in all circumstances and so our faith in Him must increase more in difficulties so that, His Hands of deliverance can work for us. In Jesus' scenario, He took the sins of the world upon Him. God's holiness does not behold sin and so, it is well explained why He shouted, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" God has turn his face from the sins bore by Christ on the cross(Habakkuk 1:13).

If we keep faith to the end, we will triumph over the challenges of life. Jesus said it is finished because, He has done the needful for the redemption of mankind. He has attain the crown of victory. We will also attain this crown if we endure and not give up. Victory only comes to the conquerors not the faint hearted. Having ended it all, He entrusted His Spirit to God's hands. It is important we emulate that by committing our souls and spirit to God at all times. In so doing, the Spirit of God will direct us to an expected end. 

Prayer: I surrender my heart to You O God for Your glory to be established on the earth. Give me the grace to accept Your will and to carry it out perfectly to the end as Christ humbled Himself to the Cross. This I pray in Jesus' name. AMEN!