18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Cor. 1:18
The Daily Cross
As we journey through Holy Week, we are drawing ever nearer the source of our power as believers. The cross of Christ was not only the instrument of Jesus’ death; it is the instrument of His saving grace. All salvation comes through death. Each day, as we read the scriptures of Holy Week, we see Jesus facing His impending death on the cross. Each day, we too want to face the reality of our own cross, so when Friday comes we too may be crucified with Christ.
About now you may be thinking you already faced your cross when you were “saved”. Yes, it is to be saved, in a moment of time, by placing our faith in Jesus and His cross. Yet, it remains for us to see that salvation is so much more than a past event in our life; it is a present and future deliverance as well. The English word, “saved” or “salvation” is best translated from the original Greek as “deliverance”. Scripture speaks to salvation in three tenses; past, present, and future. We are saved, we will be saved, and we are being saved (ex. Titus 3:4-5, 1 Cor. 1:18, Rom. 13:11).
From what are we delivered, still being delivered, and will be delivered? The trials and tribulations of this world. Just because we’re saved, (have placed our faith in Jesus), we’re not free from temptation and hard times. That’s why it’s important we hear what St. Paul is saying to those who believe in Christ…the cross is the power of God to deliver us, and oh how we need that deliverance!
The Daily Cross of Holy Week
Each day, as you rise to serve Christ and others in this world, remember that Jesus calls you to “take up your cross” (Matt. 16:24). Each day of Holy Week, as we see Jesus facing the horror of the cross, if we listen to the scriptures, we will also see Jesus gaining strength to take up the cross.
As we move ever nearer the cross, God will bring to our hearts and minds the things to which we must yet die. Today there is more of me to surrender, and from which to be delivered. And, tomorrow there will be even more. We must see the cross as more than a past event in our lives, but something we face every day. Paul went on to describe it to the Corinthians like this:
“…always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” (2 Cor. 4:10-11)
If we wish to live with Christ in the next life, we must die with Him in this life, and not just once, but daily. To those who are being saved, the Cross IS the power of God…the power to raise us from the ashes.
Grace & Peace for a Holy Week,
Pastor Brad
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
Matthew 5:6