The Cross Of Jesus

When I think of the cross, there are always negative things associated with it – pain and suffering. But I’d like to think of it in a positive way - the beauty of the cross. In Matthew 27:39-40, and those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” This is the beauty of giving. Jesus could have saved himself and we know that the Father could easily send an angel to take him down from the cross, but Jesus did not save himself – he gave himself. Jesus was not thinking of himself, he was thinking of others. In verse 42, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him…”He was not selfish but selfless. This is another beauty of the cross. There is beauty in selflessness. Jesus was willing to be selfless even unto death. In Philippians 2:8, and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Selflessness is not only thinking less of self but not thinking of self at all. This is another beauty of the cross – selflessness. In verse 43, “...He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, 'I am the Son of God.'” Jesus had the power to deliver himself, but he did not. He denied himself of that power. This is the beauty of self-denial. In 1 Corinthians 1:17-18, Paul said, “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” The preaching of the cross is the power of God. There is beauty in self-denial. Hebrews 12:2, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. We will see the beauty of the cross if we look at it in this viewpoint. Jesus looked beyond the cross, He didn't look on the hardship or pain and suffering associated with it but looked far beyond it – the joy, the crown…

Enjoyed this thought shared from our Union Sunday meeting: