WHAT DOES THE CROSS MEAN TO YOU
WHAT DOES THE CROSS MEAN TO YOU
By Evangeline Unity Esaaba Folson
Surely he took up our pain
And bore our suffering
Yet ewe considered Him punished by God, He was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was on Him and by his wounds we were healed.
Many people see the cross as a symbol of suffering and shame.
The hymn writer said:
On a hill faraway
Stood on old. rugged cross
the emblem of suffering and shame
and I love that old cross
where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain
chorus
so I’ll cherish the old
rugged cross
till my trophies at last
I lay down
I will cling to that old
Rugged cross
And exchange it some day for a crown
During the time that Jesus lived on earth, the cross was a symbol of suffering and shame because it was used to execute thieves and criminals. Therefore, it was a disgrace for Jesus who was the King of the Jews to die that way. The Jews and Romans Authorities wanted to disgrace and silence Jesus forever but God had greater plans.
On the third day, Jesus rose again from the dead after taking over death and hades. Revelations s1:18 says
I am He that, I weth, and was dead, and, behold, I am alive for evermore Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death (death & hades).
For us Christians, therefore, the cross should not be a symbol of suffering and shame but a symbol of eternal life and victory because!
Jesus still lives and will live forever
Isaiah 9:7
John 11:25-26
Jesus has all power
Isaiah 9:6
Matthew 28:18
We are more than conquerors
Isaiah 40:31
Romans 8:37
Jesus still lives and will live forever
Isaiah 9:7
Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order at, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of host will perform this.
The verse above says the kingdom of the Lord will exist forever. If the kingdom will exist forever, then the king or the one in charge will also live forever. Revelations 1:18 also confirms that Jesus lives and will live for3ever. Once Jesus lives forever then we will also live (John 14:19)
John 11:25-26
Jesus said unto9 her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live;
And whoever liveth, and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
This question needs to be answered by all of us. Jesus is the resurrection and the life therefore, when we believe in Him we shall have eternal life and live with God in heaven forever.
Jesus has all power
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His should: and His name shall be called wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, The prince of peace.
All the names and adjectives used to describe Jesus in the verse above implies that He is great, a Mighty God who has all power. With Jesus on our side victory is ours because He challenges, temptations and difficulties into victory.
Keep trusting Him.
Matthew 28:18
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
The verse above clearly states that all power has been given to Jesus. With Him all things are possible; (matthew19:26)
And He will always cause us to triumph (2 Corinthians 2:14)
Victory is ours in Jesus name. there is a song that says:
In the name of Jesus, we
Have the victory
In the name of Jesus, in the
Name of Jesus, dreams
Will have to flee
Who can tell what God can do
Who can tell His love for us.
In the name of mighty Jesus
We have the victory.
We are more than conquerors
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
This verse emphasizes the fact that those that wait on the Lord (depend on the or for strength and direction) shall renew their strength. How can you run and not be weary or walk and not faint? The expression is being used to show that we are more than conquerors in the Lord because we have divine strength and abilities.
Romans 8:37
Nay in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
Another confirmation that we are more than conquerors in Christ because we always have the victory or we are always victorious.
The cross should be a constant reminder of the victory and eternal life we have in Christ.
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