I was reminded the other day about the significance of the cross. It seems, unfortunately, that the symbol of the cross has lost its power in our culture today. In the first century, the cross was a symbol of death and shame, but today, it’s been diluted and even turned into jewelry. When we, as believers, see a cross today, it just does not evoke the feelings that it should. Our Lord and King gave Himself over to face such a torturous death that was saved for only the worst of criminals. Jesus committed no sin, yet He willingly bore the punishment for all our iniquity. Every ounce of His blood was poured out for you and for me. He was beaten, bruised, broken, and pierced so that our relationship could be restored with His Father.
After His death, the followers of Christ took up the symbol of His death as their own. This was not done out of some sort of misplaced pride or simple memorialization, but out of pure reverence. They took up the cross as a symbol of themselves dying daily to the things of this world. When Jesus said that we are to be in the world rather than of the world, He meant it. We are to take up our personal cross each and every day so that our worldly desires can be crucified with Christ. The life of a Christian is to be markedly different from those who are living for themselves, but that is not what I see when I look at the Church in America today.
The arts of self-denial and self-discipline seem to have been lost in a culture that is all about individual gain and material possession. I have also witnessed a growing number of local churches that are struggling to find enough volunteers to make ministry happen. Jesus knew this would be the case when He said the “the harvest is great, but the workers are few.” Why is this? Why do we cheapen the sacrifice of our Savior by playing games with our faith? Don’t get me wrong; I am asking these questions of myself as well. Am I as devoted as I should be? Does the way I spend my time and my resources reflect the faith I claim to have? What does the cross really mean to me? These are questions that I want to challenge every Believer to ask themselves each and every day.
I believe a revival is coming.
Is the Church ready for a harvest?
Are you?
Am I?
God is.
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What Does the Cross Mean to You?
I was reminded the other day about the significance of the cross. It seems, unfortunately, that the symbol of the cross has lost its power in our culture today. In the first century, the cross was a symbol of death and shame, but today, it’s been diluted and even turned into jewelry. When we, as believers, see a cross today, it just does not evoke the feelings that it should. Our Lord and King gave Himself over to face such a torturous death that was saved for only the worst of criminals. Jesus committed no sin, yet He willingly bore the punishment for all our iniquity. Every ounce of His blood was poured out for you and for me. He was beaten, bruised, broken, and pierced so that our relationship could be restored with His Father.
After His death, the followers of Christ took up the symbol of His death as their own. This was not done out of some sort of misplaced pride or simple memorialization, but out of pure reverence. They took up the cross as a symbol of themselves dying daily to the things of this world. When Jesus said that we are to be in the world rather than of the world, He meant it. We are to take up our personal cross each and every day so that our worldly desires can be crucified with Christ. The life of a Christian is to be markedly different from those who are living for themselves, but that is not what I see when I look at the Church in America today.
The arts of self-denial and self-discipline seem to have been lost in a culture that is all about individual gain and material possession. I have also witnessed a growing number of local churches that are struggling to find enough volunteers to make ministry happen. Jesus knew this would be the case when He said the “the harvest is great, but the workers are few.” Why is this? Why do we cheapen the sacrifice of our Savior by playing games with our faith? Don’t get me wrong; I am asking these questions of myself as well. Am I as devoted as I should be? Does the way I spend my time and my resources reflect the faith I claim to have? What does the cross really mean to me? These are questions that I want to challenge every Believer to ask themselves each and every day.
I believe a revival is coming.
Is the Church ready for a harvest?
Are you?
Am I?
God is.
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