Love is cross-shaped

Why is the cross so prominent in Christianity? Strange that so much should be made of a symbol of execution! Here's the Bible's answer:

This is how we know what love is: Jesus laid down his life for us. 1 John 3:16.

But how does the crucifixion of Jesus show that God loves me? Why should anyone die for me? Am I in some sort of danger from which I need to be saved? Yes - unfortunately we all are. The Bible puts it this way:

We shall be saved from God's wrath through him (Jesus). Romans 5:9.

The sad fact is that we all have shut God out and chosen our own ways; we have robbed Him of the worship and honour that is due to him. The Bible calls this 'sin'. We experience one effect of sin in the barrier which seems to exist between us and God:

Your iniquities have separated you from God; your sins have hidden his face from you. Isaiah 59:2.

Here lies the problem. Unless a solution is found we shall pass into eternity still separated from God and banished from his presence for ever. But God's love has provided a solution. And at what cost! Look beyond the torture; the crown of thorns, the nails through the hands, the spear in the side and the physical agony; hear Jesus cry 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' He is suffering separation from his Heavenly Father - but why? For what? Not because of his own sin - he was perfect - but for you and me. The sin of the sinner is being transfered to one who is sinless and the guiltless is being punished instead of the guilty. God's justice requires that all sin must be punished, He cannot turn a blind eye. To do so would be to violate His justice. At the cross we see Jesus substituting himself for us, or to put it another way, God punishing himself, not us.

He (Jesus) himself bore our sins in his body on the tree (cross). 1 Peter 2:24

Here is DIVINE LOVE. Here is FATHOMLESS LOVE. Here is LOVE BEYOND DESCRIPTION. IT'S CROSS-SHAPED and IT'S FOR YOU!

Making it personal

Many feel wounded when love they have expressed to another is spurned. Whatever your experience of human love, know this - somebody loves ya! God does! What is your response to such love?

One of the most fanatical opponents of the early Christians was a religious man called Paul. Yet later in life, referring to Jesus, he wrote:

I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20.

Why the change? He had recognized his personal need of forgiveness and had found this through the death of Jesus on the cross. You may not have actively opposed Jesus as Paul did but the Bible is quite clear:

There is no difference for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:22,23.

Of course, if you sense no need of forgiveness and a new life, all this will seem irrelevant. But if in humility you come to God, confessing your need and turning from all that you know to be wrong, the words of the living Jesus will be true for you:

Whoever comes to me I will never drive away. John 6:37.

Pardon for sin and peace everlasting

Your living presence to cheer and to guide

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow

These are the blessings your love will provide.

God reaches out in love to you now; he offers this new life. He will answer the simplest of prayers; however, you may feel that a confidential chat with a mature Christian would be helpful. If so, we are only a phone call away: 01485 540466
Bryan Thompson

Snettisham Christian Fellowship