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Can You See the Blood and the Beauty?

Blood-Stained Cross

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

The Old Rugged Cross (1913)
By: George Bennard 1873 – 1958

Listen to this simple piano version as you read. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Below is content always available to Subscribers, often to Free Members, and sometimes to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library, click here, or the Free Member Content Library with some examples of the complete Subscribers content, click here.

Everyone enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We continue our journey toward Easter this week as we ponder the cross.  In the first half of this stanza, we will examine the blood of the cross to find its beauty.  We can see it with eyes of faith, if we will try.  Let’s tune our hearts.

Blood-Stained Cross

I was surprised to find so few images when I began to look for one to represent the blood-stained cross.  I found many crosses, even among the sites where I find most of my royalty-free images, but very few with blood.  As I continued to search, it occurred to me that the cross stained with blood rails against our flesh so much that even we as Christians tend to sanitize this symbol.

Imagine a blank canvas.  Begin to think of the cross.  What do you see?  Woodgrain?  Cross-beam? How about the backdrop?  What comes to mind for the setting?  Can you see the nails?  Now be honest, is there any blood?

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,

But it had to be.  He had to shed His blood to cover our sins. Only His blood could do it, and He loved us enough to offer it to make peace between the Father and us.  Amazing!

and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.  Colossians 1:20 NKJV

RESONATE!
Think about His blood shed on the cross for you.  It has covered your sins.  What sins need covered today?  Receive that precious gift.  Even the things you have not done are covered.  Give Him praise.

Wondrous Beauty

Wondrous Beauty

Once we are able to see the blood on the cross not only as a necessary part, but a welcome one, we are situated to behold the wondrous beauty of it.  Only faith can give us eyes to see this.  Do you have these eyes of faith?

A wondrous beauty I see,

The world looks at the cross and sees the bitter wounds it inflicted on our Savior.  We see them, and so much more.  We see the sacrifice that covers our sin.  We see an invitation to die to sin.  We see the power to live for righteousness, even if it costs us our lives.

When you realize the blood Jesus shed on that cross -and the wounds that caused it to flow down upon your life- have brought healing to your soul, it becomes a symbol of life as well as death.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 ESV

RESONATE!
There is a beauty in the cross that only eyes of faith can see.  As I reflected on the wonder of this symbol, tears welled up in my eyes.  That does not always happen, but what a gift when it does.  Ask for eyes to see the wondrous beauty of the cross, then take a few minutes to think about the cross.

Jesus, thank You for shedding Your blood, which stained that cross.  I want to always see it with eyes that still see the blood, but also the beauty.  Help me.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

Insightful Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence.   We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

Like what you’re finding here?  Fill out the form to the right to get an email with each fresh post and updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Please comment below and share if you have found this helpful in your journey of being more resonant.

Video 15.3 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

We know that Jesus was tortured before beginning the journey to Golgotha. As He carried His cross through the streets of Jerusalem, it would have become stained with His blood.  That blood washes away the stains of sin in our lives. Thank Jesus for shedding His blood.

Apart from the work of the Spirit to show us the beauty of Christ’s sacrifice for us, the flow of blood on the cross is simply grotesque. When we see it with eyes of faith, it is transformed into the most beautiful expression of love the world has ever known. Do you see it that way?

Jesus taught in Matthew 26:28 that His blood was shed for the remission of sins. Remission is another word for forgiveness. Through the shedding of His blood, His suffering and death, Jesus accomplished this forgiveness.  Thank Him right now. 

Thank Him because He did not just die for the sins of the world. He died for your sins. To pardon you from the punishment you deserved, and give you a standing you could have never earned when He sanctified you or made you holy.  Cherish the cross.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, be Resonant.

The post Can You See the Blood and the Beauty? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Blood-Stained Cross – https://www.rgbstock.com/photo/nEe1X7K/The+Blood+2
Wondrous Beauty – https://pixabay.com/photos/cross-sky-clouds-sunset-dusk-2209803/

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Finding Purpose in the Darkness

Lamb of God

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

The Old Rugged Cross (1913)
By: George Bennard 1873 – 1958

Listen to this simple piano version as you read. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

Here is podcast content always available to Subscribers, sometimes to Free Members, and occasionally to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library? Click here.  Or check out some other samples at our Free Member Content Library.  We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today!!

Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We began our journey toward Easter this week as we ponder the cross. In the first half of this stanza, we remembered the suffering and shame Jesus endured on the cross and our response.  In this second half, we remember what Jesus accomplished on that cross and for whom.  Let’s think about this.

Unimaginable Light

If we are to rightly appreciate the darkness Jesus endured on the cross, we must remember what He left behind to do so.

For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above

Jesus, the one who would take away the sins of the world, had to leave the unimaginable wonder of heaven where He had existed eternally to become one of us.  He had to become one of us so He could offer His life as a ransom.  He had to offer HIs life as a ransom because we were separated from God, something that had never been true of Him, but would also never be more true than the moment of Hid death.

What did that glory above look like?

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb Revelation 22:1 ESV

Bright as Crystal

Let us just consider one image.  You may have seen the sparkling waters of a mountain stream.  For me it is the babbling brook and the light glistening off the waters as they dance around the rocks creating glimmering surfaces to reflect the light of the sun.  You might be able to describe that memory as John did by describing the water similarly but I have a feeling the river John saw was more like crystal than anything we an imagine.

Ever aspect of glory is beyond what we can imagine.  The air, the smell, the sounds, everything.  Still that did not deter Jesus from leaving it all behind to take on the weakness of humanity.

John the Baptist used this title to identify Him, and then went on to declare what He would accomplish by laying down His life, taking away the sins of the world.  If that were not remarkable enough, consider what He left behind to do it. Thank Jesus for His sacrifice.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments to ponder what the glory of heaven must be like.  Maybe it is not the river of the water of life, but some other aspect that has always intrigued you.  Jesus had dwelt there eternally, and it was a reflection of His greatness and glory, still He left that unimaginable light to shatter our darkness.  Ask Him to reveal some aspect of that right now.

Incomprehensible Darkness

It is against the backdrop of this light that the story of the cross unfolds.  We can not appreciate the darkness of the cross without remembering what Jesus left behind in order to endure it for the glory of God and our good.  This comes to bear on our current circumstances as well.

It against the backdrop of the goodness of God that the story of this pandemic unfolds.  We can not rightly comprehend the purposes of God without remembering what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross.  We are facing some tremendous uncertainty in these days, but this is no surprise to our Lord, and He faced  much deeper darkness to give us peace in circumstances like this.

One of the most interesting dynamics of this virus is the universal nature of it.  Famous people have been effected, ordinary people too. Professional athletes have tested positive, but so have folks who lack those abilities.  Rich and poor, influential and common.  This darkness has come to us all.

Dark Calvary

Jesus went to the cross, not only the bear the sins of every person, but to show us He is willing to meet every one of us at our point of greatest need.  For many of you reading, you know this to be true because it was your experience.  Not everyone watching this unfold have that same knowledge.  It is up to us to live it, and share it as He enables.

To bear it to dark Calvary.

Maybe you are facing something even darker than the corona virus.  Walk in that darkness knowing Jesus is with you.  He knows pain and suffering.  He knows what it is like to go through something you do not deserve.  So let Him help you. There is a purpose in that darkness.

And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Luke 23:33 NKJV

RESONATE!
His amazing love for us, demonstrated by walking through His darkness with His heart resolved to bring glory to the Father, sets an example for us.  It also quietly demands that we follow His divine example by offering Him our souls, our lives, our all.  What will that look like for you and the darkness you are facing today?  Ask Jesus to show you.

 Jesus, thank You for leaving the unimaginable light of heaven to illumine our incomprehensible darkness.  Bring that same presence to bear in each of our lives today. We need to see You, and have Your light inform even the darkness we are facing.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Illuminated Thinking!

Are these thoughts helping you to develop greater spiritual awareness?  Sign-up in the form to the right above to get updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Podcast 15.2 Transcript

Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,

He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3 ESV

The cross is despised by association because Jesus was despised.  He was the Son of God, yet became a man of sorrows for our sake and the glory of His Father.  He was rejected so we might be accepted, forsaken so we might be forgiven. Hallelujah! What a Savior! Praise Him.  

Has a wondrous attraction for me;

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV

The world despises His cross, but we adore it.  It is folly and shame to those who are dying, but to us it is the most wonderful symbol of power and life.  Draw near by His grace and bless the name of Jesus, the One who bids you to come and die and find that you may truly live.

For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb Revelation 22:1 ESV

John the Baptist used this title to identify Him, and then went on to declare what He would accomplish by laying down His life, taking away the sins of the world.  If that were not remarkable enough, consider what He left behind to do it. Thank Jesus for His sacrifice.

To bear it to dark Calvary.

And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Luke 23:33 NKJV

Crucified between two criminals. Condescended from glory above. Despised by the world.  Attracting us to a life of self-denial. Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.  Commit everything you are to Him again today as you cling to the cross. 

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain.

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, be Resonant.

The post Finding Purpose in the Darkness appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Lamb of God – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/chalice-cup-lamb-god-eucharist-4718251/
Bright as Crystal – https://pixabay.com/photos/stream-wilderness-water-river-1865419/
Dark Calvary – https://pixabay.com/photos/moon-crosses-easter-faith-calvary-4777866/

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Despised

Wednesday Wanderings with Dr. Sherri is biweekly and a time we set aside to wander in the Presence of Jesus and ponder His truths. When you are ready, prepare your mind, body, and soul to have a transformational encounter with Jesus.

Watch the Wednesday Wanderings Welcome for this week.

Now that we have cleared our minds of the clutter, we can wander on the journey with our Holy Jesus.

PREPARATION: In our last Wandering with Dr. Sherri, we responded to God’s mercy and might. This week we will consider the Old Rugged Cross. When you are ready, you may begin the dialogue with Jesus and state: “Jesus, I invite you to help me to leisurely wander into your Presence. Prepare my heart to receive, and illuminate my spiritual senses to encounter you.”

PROMISE: Matthew 5:44-45 The Message

Overflowing consuming love

43-45 “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does.

The Old Rugged Cross reminds us of the overflowing consuming love of God that helps you to love the world that may despise you.

PSALM: The Old Rugged Cross was written by 1912 by Evangelist and song leader George Bennard who was a native of Youngstown, Ohio.

Held by Jesus – clinging to the cross

Oh that old rugged cross so despised by the world
Has a wondrous attraction for me
For the dear Lamb of God
Left His glory above to bear it to dark calvary
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged cross and
Exchange it one day for a crown

Evangelist George Bennard, a native of Youngstown, Ohio wrote the popular hymn The Old Rugged Cross. It was written after receiving ridicule following a revival meeting. He was despised for doing what he believed was the will of God. The image  reminds us that even when we are despised by the world, we are being held by and can cling to the arms of Jesus.

The cross changes our perspective

PARABLE: We cannot always articulate to others the choices we make to bear our own cross. As they misunderstand us, they may grow to despise us and ridicule our choices. Being despised or ridiculed for what you believe God has told you to do is challenging. Yet, the cross is a reminder that it is worth it. The cross represents the power of Jesus. The cross represents: 

  1. The power to set men free (1 Peter 2:24)
  2. The power to create in me a desire to be righteous (Romans 7:5-6)
  3. The power to convince me that I am loved (John 3:16; Romans 5:6-8)

As we weep for our injustices, we can let the old rugged cross attract us to the truths of Jesus. The cross represents the truth that Jesus has already shed tears for our hurts and His love is bottling our tears.  The truth we can see in the symbolism of the cross is that we are free from sin and condemnation. It  replaces our natural cravings for perfection with the the supernatural desire to serve our perfect God. The cross directions our attention and affection to Jesus and it reestablishes our identity and worth in who Christ says we are in Him. Because of the cross, our life and perspective is changed.

PONDER and WANDER:  If you choose, Ponder the question: When is the last time you were despised for doing what God called you to do?

Not everyone will love you for loving God. You will face ridicule and opposition. It is the sole career of the Evil One to kill, steal, and destroy your trust of who God is and your belief of who you are in Christ. Satan will use friend or foe to wipe out your purpose. The cross is a reminder that the victory is already won but it doesn’t always prevent us from experiencing the battle.

Soul care training exercise: Since we know we will experience opposition on our path to serving Jesus, we must recognize that we will be despised and learn to pray for those who persecute us.  

If you choose, complete this week’s soul training exercise by setting aside time to think about a person who has or is persecuting you. 

  • When you are ready, clear your mind and focus on the healing love of the cross.
  • Next, allow the Holy Spirit to bring the image of the person to your mind.
  • Begin to pray for them. Pray for their unhealed hurts and trauma. Pray for them to know Jesus more closely. Pray for them to let go of stronghold that drives them to despise and persecute you.
  • Then, consider searching your heart to see if you have despised and persecuted them in any way.
  • Lastly, ask God to forgive you and pray for yourself.

PRAYER:  Daddy Jesus, thank you for the symbolism of the cross. Thank you that it reminds me that your love is a consuming fire that can burn away all the residue of ridicule and persecution. Help me to see the cross and remember to love those who persecute me. Help others to see the cross and remember to love me when I persecute them. I love you and I need you Jesus. In your loving name I pray, Amen. 

PRAISE: Now that you have emptied your mind of the clutter and wandered with Jesus, take a closing moment to thank our loving God for the Old Rugged Cross. Let the work of your wandering fill you with the love of Christ.

Then take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes of wandering into the next ones and beyond.

Until next time, be Resonant.

The post Despised  appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image attributions:
Google prophetic art images.

 

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What’s Your View of the Cross? Despised or Cherished

Despised by the World

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

The Old Rugged Cross (1913)
By: George Bennard 1873 – 1958

Listen to this simple piano version as you read. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Below is content always available to Subscribers, often to Free Members, and sometimes to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library, click here, or the Free Member Content Library with some examples of the complete Subscribers content, click here.

Everyone enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We begin our journey toward Easter this week as we ponder the cross.  In the first half of this stanza, we will bring our hearts up the hill of Calvary and down to the foot of the cross.  This torture device represents something to cherish for those who see it for what it truly is.   Let’s tune our hearts.

Despised by the Perishing

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,

It is hard for us to imagine why the world would despise the cross. What did Jesus do to deserve this rejection? Nothing. Quite the contrary. What He did should have made Him esteemed and adored.  So what’s deal?

Without a willingness to embrace what the Holy Spirit reveals about Jesus, the carnal mind can not see the beauty of the cross.  It simply sees a misunderstood teacher, a mad man, a would be prophet.  Oh, how wrong is that estimation.  Yet it is exactly what Isaiah prophesied would happen centuries before the Messiah came.

He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3 ESV

The cross is despised by association. Jesus was despised as the Scripture clearly shows, and because the cross is the symbol of Christ’s sacrifice, the cross is despised.  Man of sorrows indeed.

Another hymn writer spoke of His sorrows like this.

“Man of Sorrows!” what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

And so we lend our voices to the glorious refrain, “Hallelujah!  What a Savior!” It is that saving work that empowers our praise. Beefore we explore that though, take a few moments and ponder the rejection Jesus endured for you.

Consider how well-acquainted with grief He was.  How He should have been esteemed but instead was despised.  After you have thought about that for a few moments, thank Jesus for embracing the sorrow for you.

Wondrous Attraction

Cherished by the Saved

Though the world, those who are perishing my view the cross with disdain, nothing could be further from the truth for those are being saved.  The cross is beautiful to us.  It has an incredible allure.

Has a wondrous attraction for me;

The difference in these two perspectives is not only a matter of life and death, but is driven by that very reality.

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV

To the world, the cross is a symbol of death, and so that is all the more is can be to them. To them the cross is death, and even foolishness for they see the One who claimed to be the Son of God die there, and it make no sense to them.

To those who are being saved, the cross is a symbol of life, and so it changes everything to them. To them the cross is life, for it demonstrates the very power of God to satisfy His wrath in the sacrifice of His Son, and it fills their hearts with worship.

So what does the cross symbolize to you? Death or life? Draw near by His grace and bless the name of Jesus, the One who bids you to come and die and find that you may truly live.  Then give Him praise for His Wonderful Cross.

Jesus, thank You for enduring the sorrow of the cross and transforming a symbol of death into one of life.  Thank You for going me eyes of faith to see it as such.  Empower me to help others see it that way too.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

Wondrous Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence.   We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

Like what you’re finding here?  Fill out the form to the right to get an email with each fresh post and updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Please comment below and share if you have found this helpful in your journey of being more resonant.

Video 15.2 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

The Romans used crucifixion not only for capital punishment but as a torture and humiliation device.  It was certainly despised then. But because it serves as a symbol of self denial and sacrifice it continues to be despised today by some. How do you view the cross?

Though the world despises the cross, those who have found redemption and reconciliation at the foot of it are attracted to it and it’s wondrous demonstration of love.  Ask God to speak that wondrous attraction into your soul right now.

So far did Jesus condescend not only to become one of us, but to become sin for us on the cross, it certainly defies comprehension apart from the work of the Spirit in our lives.  Thank the Lamb of God right now for leaving His glory above to do the will of His Father.

Jesus cried out from the cross because He felt the Father turn his face away from Him as He took the sin of the world upon His shoulders. Calvary was dark because Jesus bore the weight of the cross and all our sin that we may be welcomed into the light. Praise His name!

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, be Resonant.

The post What’s Your View of the Cross? Despised or Cherished appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Despised by the World –  https://pixabay.com/photos/cemetery-black-death-halloween-1215012/
Wondrous Attraction – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/cross-faith-was-christian-4885491/

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Loving and Living Under the Cross

Dearest and Best

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

The Old Rugged Cross (1913)
By: George Bennard 1873 – 1958

Listen to this simple piano version as you read. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

Here is podcast content always available to Subscribers, sometimes to Free Members, and occasionally to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library? Click here.  Or check out some other samples at our Free Member Content Library.  We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today!!

Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We began our journey toward Easter this week as we ponder the cross. In the first half of this stanza, we remembered the suffering and shame Jesus endured on the cross and our response.  In this second half, we remember what Jesus accomplished on that cross and for whom.  Let’s think about this.

We Love the Cross

We left off Tuesday with the words that remind us of the suffering and shame the cross is designed to induce. And induce it does.  It is a very effective means of capital punishment, inflicting excruciating pain on the subject until their breathing becomes gradually more labored until they can breath no more.

But we love the cross. What’s up with that!?!

For those of who realize what Jesus did for us there, the cross becomes a symbol not of suffering and shame, but of sacrifice and obedience. Jesus, the Dearest and Best, willingly went to that cross to fulfill the wrath of God according to the will of God.

And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best

The Darling of Heaven, as another songwriter described Him, left the glory of God where He had existed eternally to suffer the humiliating death of the cross.

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8 ESV

RESONATE!
Take a few moments to ponder who He is, who He has been eternally.  Set that next to what He endured, and the reality that He was the only one ever born who did not deserve to endure the penalty of sin.  Allow your heart to soak in the wonder of these two truths.

For a World of Lost Sinners

But So Should the World

Of course, we love the cross because we know who it represents. But much of the world does not. This is sad.

Think about that. People see the cross. Many wear it. But most truly do not realize what really happened there.

For a world of lost sinners was slain.

This is why Jesus commissioned us to make disciples.  We need to let the world know that though our sin has separated us from God, the cross has reunited to Him all who believe.

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 ESV

I have a friend who sends me a message most every morning reminding me to spread God’s love with at least one person that day.  It is a simple reminder of a practice that should be a part of my life every day, but sadly isn’t always. But how do we change that.

I think the answer is in how we feel about the cross.  If we truly cherish it, clinging to it because it is so precious to us, we will be more likely to tell others about it.  This thought gives new meaning to Jesus’ teaching to “take up our cross daily”.

Imagine carrying a cross even the size of a book around with you all day, every day.  People would likely ask you about it, even if you did not lead with it, unless of course every Christian carried one around. How remarkable would that be?  And how long would it take for the the world to have heard from many of us why it means so much to us?

RESONATE!
How can you take up your cross today?  What practical things could you do to allow the cross to mark your life?  It might not even be the physical symbol or shape of the cross, but hopefully the expression will be just a meaningful.  Think about it, then do it.

 Jesus, thank You for going to the cross to die for the world, lost sinners though we were. I love Your cross.  Help me to live my life finding practical ways to take it up so that I can share it’s value with others.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Clinging Thinking!

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Podcast 15.1 Transcript

Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,

And he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. John 19:17 ESV

Up the long dusty road to Calvary we trace the footsteps of Jesus.  It was years before any of us were here, but we read the accounts and we imagine the hill and the cross and we stand amazed.  Thank Jesus for that old rugged cross where He went bearing the weight of our sins.

The emblem of suff’ring and shame;

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 ESV

We see the cross and recognize it as a symbol of suffering and shame, but it also represents so much more to us.  What it symbolizes gives us joy for Jesus endured this emblem with a joy of His own, despising the shame. Ponder what it portrays for you.

And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8 ESV

The Dearest and Best.  What a simple yet beautiful way to describe our Savior!  We love Him for His obedience to His Father, to the point of death.  Existing eternally in sublime glory He humbled Himself for God’s glory and our good.  Tell Him how you love the cross.

For a world of lost sinners was slain.

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 ESV

The cross of Jesus Christ makes it possible for sinners, separated from God by our sin, to be made right with Him. So we cherish it and cling to it, for it represents to us life eternal.  Commit to live your life to bring Him praise and purpose to offer it all to Him one day.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the Refrain.

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, be Resonant.

The post Loving and Living Under the Cross appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Dearest and Best – https://pixabay.com/photos/cross-jesus-wood-church-christ-78000/
For a World of Lost Sinners – https://pixabay.com/photos/christ-cross-faith-jesus-passion-3484141/

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