My Cross

My Cross

0:00

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross,”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬-‭14‬, ‭NIV‬‬.

Recently we sang a “new to me” song at church, and one of the lines hit me like a ton of bricks: “There is a cross made for you.”

I thought, I know Jesus died for my sins, and that He hung where I should have. But the reality was Jesus had His own cross—undeserved. And I had one of my own--deserved.

I soon found myself drifting to 1 Century Jerusalem, as the song continued to play overhead. I saw myself stripped down, not a sight even my mirror enjoys, and I walked shame-filled in front of watchers. Everyone knew what I was guilty of because it was placed on a placard around my neck.

This visual allowed me to experience a very deep humility. One that has stayed with me, and hopefully always will. Jesus then stepped up beside me and took my cross, and I was led to safety.

“Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed me white as snow,” Elvina M. Hall, 1865.

He exchanged my guilt with His innocence, setting me free, forgiving me and releasing me from any penalty. Because He loves me.

He loves you, too. How do we say thank you? By listening to what He has to say and agreeing with Him. We agree to the point of doing what He has asked and tells us what to do.

We can trust He will not lead us somewhere dangerous. That if danger comes, it won’t be by His hand. In fact, He will stay with us until the danger has passed.

If He is willing to die for us due to love, He is willing to love us until we die.

How are we loving Jesus in return?

(Feel free to comment below. It encourages me and others to hear your thoughts, too.)

Father,

Thank You for sending Your own Son to take our penalty from us, what a great love You have for us all.

Help us to see this great love and respond accordingly. Help us to love You in return, with devotion, praise and putting You before our own selfish ways.

Help us to love others like You do.

Help us to grow daily in deep devotion to You.

Thank You for paying it all and washing us as white as snow.

Amen.