| Speeding by the Cross - #4004 |
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Thursday, May 16, 2002We were speeding along an interstate in Texas, and suddenly there it was - a huge, illuminated metal cross. It dominated the landscape, especially on the flatlands of Texas. That cross is actually 19 stories high and it can be seen from 20 miles away. They claim it's the largest cross in the Western Hemisphere. We've been by there before, but this was the first time we ever stopped to look at it more closely. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A WORD WITH YOU today about "Speeding by the Cross." We had been like most people - not stopping to check it out. As impressive as that cross is, most folks just speed right by it. Which is okay with that cross. But it's dangerous to do it with the cross - the one where Jesus died to pay for every wrong thing you and I have ever done. But for all its eternal importance in determining our heaven or our hell, too many of us glance briefly at Jesus' death on the cross, think it's nice, and drive on by. It could be that you've made many stops on your life-journey, looking for that spiritual or emotional fill up that would satisfy your soul. But nothing ever has. None of those relationships. None of those accomplishments. None of your religious or spiritual experiences. So you keep speeding along on your journey, looking for a better place to stop - maybe driving right by the only place where your lifelong search will end. In our word for today from the Word of God in Mark 15:39, we see what a life-changing thing it can be to stand at Jesus' cross. The man we're about to read about was a Roman officer - the man who was in charge of the execution of the Son of God. But before this day ends, this hardened executioner has a dramatic change of heart. The Bible says, "When the centurion who stood there in front of Jesus...saw how He died, he said, 'Surely this man was the Son of God!'" What happened here? This man comes to this hill to execute Jesus and leaves apparently believing in Jesus. What was it about "how He died" that changed this man's heart? It had to be the things Jesus said from that cross - "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they're doing" ... "Today you will be with Me in paradise" ... "It is finished!" Jesus was forgiving the very people who were responsible for Him being on that cross. In a very real way, that's you and me. Because it was our sins that Jesus went there to pay for. And now He can say to anyone who puts their trust in Him, "You will be with Me in paradise." "I'm taking you to heaven with Me!" Share or Bookmark This Page       |
