His Cross

GOD’S WORD

 “They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha.”

John 19:17

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.”

1 Peter 2:24

REFLECTION

Wood is one of the most common elements on earth, so abundantly found it is burned for warmth, sliced to make paper, joined to build houses. Yet very common pieces of wood, once drenched with rain, and perhaps even gnawed at by insects or animals, would soon absorb the sweat and blood of our Lord as He was crucified.

Feel free to TOUCH the wood. Imagine such a rough surface jammed against your back. Christ’s cross was not padded. It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t custom-fitted for His body. It was just a normal piece of wood, plucked out of a forest, suddenly made holy through the touch of the Messiah.

Think long and hard about what it meant for Jesus to accept His cross. As He began carrying the cross, every step took Him closer to the horrors of Golgotha. He knew where this journey ended; He was not ignorant about the physical, spiritual and emotional suffering that lay ahead. At any moment, He could turn around and walk away. He could command the angels to slay the soldiers who “guarded” Him. He could ascend to heaven and take His rightful throne. He could avoid every drop of blood, calm every screaming nerve, reject every sin that was about to be laid on His shoulders.

But Jesus kept walking, carrying the common wood on which He would be crucified, to accomplish His mission. He did it so that you wouldn’t have to. What more can be done to convince you of His love?

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, I am so grieved by my sin. I get careless about it so often in my life. But then I look at the cross and I get a glimpse again of how costly it is. Touching this wood, remembering how You knew it would be the tool of Your crucifixion, reminds me of the great love that You have for me and the price of my salvation. You are worthy to receive all of my praise.