“When we walk without the cross, when we build without the cross and when we proclaim Christ without the cross, we are not disciples of the Lord. We are worldly. We may be bishops, priests, cardinals, popes, all of this, but we are not disciples of the Lord.” ~ Pope Francis
If asked about the purpose of the cross, crucifixion, and resurrection, how would you respond? It’s imperative to understand that the cross isn’t an event that happened to Jesus; it’s the whole purpose for His coming. The entire meaning and reasoning of the incarnation is the cross. The cross was and is an apocalypse. God came to earth to reveal God’s character, which became a reality and understood through the cross. There is no more mystery of who the true Messiah was and their purpose in God’s creation story. The cross solves the puzzle and gives meaning to the bible. Every person revealed throughout the bible existed for one purpose: the cross. Every event that happened throughout the bible happened to lead us to the cross.
The center of salvation is the cross of Jesus Christ. The reason God allows the cross is because God created the problem by creating humankind with free will. Once humanity fell, it caused all of creation to fall as well. The whole biblical narrative is God’s love story which redeems creation through the cross. The cross represents God’s ultimate act of love. The cross cost God everything. The only reason we have the gift of salvation and the privilege to experience the kingdom of God is because of the cross. Any depiction of the purpose of Jesus the Christ that leaves out the cross is grossly incomplete.
Scripture Readings
Reflection Questions
- What did you take away from today’s reflection and scripture readings?
- How would you explain the reason for the cross?
- Why does scripture lead us to the cross?
- How do you visualize the cross?
- Why was Jesus willing to die on a cross?
- Why the cross and not some other form of death?
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the cross and everything it represents, which is everything. Please help me never forget that salvation comes through the cross and resurrection of Your Son Jesus. May the whole world one day know the true meaning of the cross and come to surrender their lives to You, Lord. In Your Spirit and Name, I pray these things. May Your will and not mine materialize, always and forever, Amen.
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