Come, sit with me for a while at the foot of the cross. Let us not rush past this scene, but linger here, hearts open and minds quiet. Let us gaze upon the One who hangs there, broken and bleeding, yet radiating a love that defies comprehension.
This is no mere historical event, no distant tragedy. This is the heart of God, laid bare for you, for me. This is love poured out, a sacrifice freely given.
Let us breathe in the weight of this moment, allowing its truth to seep into our souls. Let us grieve, let us wonder, let us be undone and remade by the love that bleeds from the cross.
Come, let us encounter Jesus here, in the raw vulnerability of His suffering, and discover the depths of His heart for us.
Podcast
Meditating on the Cross of Jesus Our Christ
The cross is where God’s faithfulness and self-giving love are most powerfully displayed. As we contemplate Christ crucified, a range of emotions and thoughts stir within us:
Grief and Sorrow:
- Enter into the suffering: Don’t shy away from the physical and emotional agony Jesus endured. Imagine the scourging, the crown of thorns, the nails piercing His flesh, the slow suffocation. Feel the weight of betrayal, mockery, and abandonment.
- Empathize with His humanity: Jesus, fully God and fully man, experienced the depths of human suffering. Allow yourself to feel the rawness of His emotions, the agony of His body, the despair of His soul.
- Mourn the brokenness: The cross reveals the devastating consequences of sin. Grieve for the pain and injustice in the world, and acknowledge your own complicity.
Gratitude and Awe:
- Recognize the gift: The cross wasn’t a punishment Jesus deserved; it was a gift freely given out of love for you. Cultivate gratitude for this undeserved grace.
- Marvel at the love: Contemplate the magnitude of Jesus’ sacrifice. He left the glory of heaven, endured humiliation and torture, and ultimately gave His life to redeem you.
- Embrace the freedom: The cross frees you from the burden of sin and guilt. Live in the joy and peace of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Hope and Joy:
- God’s faithfulness: Even in the face of immense suffering, God remained faithful to His promises. The cross assures you that God’s love is steadfast and unconditional.
- Victory over death: The cross is not the end. It leads to resurrection and new life. Find hope in the promise of forgiveness, healing, and restoration.
Humility and Repentance:
- Confront your sin: Acknowledge that your sin contributed to Jesus’ suffering.
- Embrace your need for grace: Surrender your pride and confess your dependence on God’s mercy.
- Turn away from sin: Commit to a life of obedience, following Jesus’ example of humility and self-sacrificing love.
Love and Devotion:
- Unconditional love: The cross demonstrates the immeasurable love of God. Respond to this love by loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
- Sacrificial love: Jesus’ willingness to lay down His life is the ultimate example of sacrificial love. Follow His example by loving others selflessly.
- Transformative love: Allow the love displayed on the cross to break down your defenses, heal your wounds, and set you free from sin and shame.
Justice and Mercy:
- God’s character: The cross satisfies the demands of justice while extending mercy to all who believe. It’s the perfect balance of God’s holiness and love.
- Reconciliation: The cross bridges the gap between humanity and God, restoring the broken relationship caused by sin.
Personal Application:
Share the good news: Tell others about the hope and transformation you have found in Christ. Be a witness to the power of the cross.
Embrace vulnerability: Allow yourself to be broken by the reality of the cross. Recognize your need for God’s grace and surrender your life to His love.
Extend forgiveness: Just as Christ forgave you, extend forgiveness to others. Let go of bitterness and resentment.
Live sacrificially: Follow Jesus’ example of self-giving love. Seek opportunities to serve others and make a difference in the world.
Conclusion
Go now, and carry the cross with you. Not the wooden beams, but the love that bleeds from them. Carry it in your heart, a reminder of the One who gave everything for you. Let it shape your days, your choices, your very being. Let it fuel your compassion, your forgiveness, your relentless pursuit of love. And when the world grows dark, and shadows threaten to overwhelm, turn your gaze to the cross. Remember the One who hung there, and find hope in the dawn that follows every crucifixion. For the cross is not the end. It is the beginning of a love story that echoes through eternity. Go, and live in its light.
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post