Tag Archives: cross

Christian

The Cross

Lately I’ve been thinking about the many songs dedicated to the cross. I’ve also wondered about wearing the cross. Whether made of metal, stone, wood, or some other material is it appropriate to wear one?

I do believe the cross is an important symbol. Jesus himself prophesied in John 3:14-15 KJV And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: [15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

The cross embodies symbolism involving death, baptism, and resurrection. Romans 6:3-6. Near where I live there is one of those billboards that says, He loved you this much and it shows a depiction of Jesus on the cross with his arms outstretched wide. I appreciate these things and I suppose there may be something I’m missing, but I have two issues I’d like to raise.

What’s the difference between singing a song about a rifle, or a sword, or a guillotene and the cross? It is an instrument of death. My savior is Jesus. He is my focus, not a piece of wood.

The second is wearing or praying with a cross. In my opinion a cross shouldn’t be worn or prayed with. Here’s why: A cross is a graven image or a likeness of something that is in the earth. It is an image. Perhaps intent is key, but what will you reach for when you are in trouble or in time of need? The icon or Jesus? Jesus should be in our hearts and in our minds. Our strength doesn’t come from a piece of metal or wood or a tattoo. Your salvation will not come from the cross in your hand or one worn around your neck. Salvation comes from believing in Jesus, that he is the Christ. And with that faith knowing both what he did and what he does for us.

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Christian

Crossroads

Two things Jesus’ sacrifice at the cross never did despite what you may have heard:

1. Jesus did not live a perfect sinless life and be crucified so that you wouldn’t have to follow the law. Romans 6:23 tells us the wages of sin is death. This means we must still keep the law of Christ or face eternal damnation (the second death).

2. Jesus did not take your place on the cross so that you would never have to die. While it is unlikely you will be put to death by crucifixion, you or I can still be put to death for our faith. In fact in Revelation Jesus warns us to be faithful unto death. See also John 15:20. This means as Christians that trials, temptations, torture, and even death (physical death) are still real possibilities.

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Christian

Forsaken

Over this Easter period I have heard a few preachers say that God forsook Jesus on the cross.

This is based on Jesus’ exclamation on the cross found in Matthew 27:46 KJV
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

I don’t doubt that Jesus was in extreme, excruciating pain, but to those preachers I say, how do you know God the Father looked away for one second. In fact he could have answered Jesus in his thoughts, My Son, My Son I am here for you.

If you ask me watching Jesus suffer, Jehovah is all knowing, will be good fuel to remember in that day, the Day of the Lord, in which he pours out his wrath on the world and passes eternal judgment on the unsaved.

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Christian, Inspirational

Revering the Cross

I just heard John Hagee use the phrase “the blood of the cross” in a prayer.

I take issue with this, the hymn, The Old Rugged Cross, and people who wear crucifixes.

Here’s why. Our redemption has nothing to do with the means of Jesus’s death. The wood or tree did not save me. Jesus did. His sacrifice was becoming human and dying to show us all to follow the Father’s will.

So why do crucifixes bother me? Isn’t it an image or likeness as described in

Exodus 20:4-5 KJV
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: [5] Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

The crucifix may not be graven out of wood it could be forged out of metal, but I think Jesus wants us to focus on him in spirit and in truth. Why bow down to an instrument of death?

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