Have you been there?
One simple question, “Have you been to the cross?”
April is an amazing month. Two of my three children, and one son-in-love, were born in April and several close relatives. The world celebrates Earth Day this month (The earth is the Lord’s; and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein. For He has found it upon the seas, and established it upon the waters, Psalm 24:1-2). And, most April calendars include Good Friday and Easter, or more appropriate, Resurrection Day!
Good Friday is, for me, a day of serious reflection. A day to be quiet and thoughtful. A day for me to consider what my beloved Savior suffered and the price of my eternal salvation. It cost Him everything and I believe it is worthy of thinking about and meditating on.
The Cross. Let your schedule slip for a moment. Lay your to-do list aside. Stop what you are doing, close your eyes and walk up Calvary’s hill. Can you hear the pounding of a wood mallet against spikes? The very ground reverberates with each blow. Do you smell the saltiness of blood, sweat, and tears? The pungent aroma of vinegar and sour wine? Can you hear cursing and reviling as soldiers mock The Crucified and gamble for His clothing? Do you hear the wracking sobs of women, children, and men?
If your answer is yes, the cross is a familiar place to you. The cross isn’t a favorite hang out for many – we’d much rather hang out in the garden, near the open tomb, celebrating Resurrection. But, without Friday’s cross there would be no Sunday morning. Without Friday’s cross, there would be no remission of sin. Without Friday’s cross, there would be no hope of glory.
The Cross. Have you been there? If not, I invite you to go – for, it is THERE that true love began and real life begins.
For God so loved the world that He gave His (one and) only begotten (and beloved) Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
If in hearts we really don’t believe that God loves us as we are, if we are still tainted by the lie that we can do something to make God love us more, we are rejecting the message of the cross. Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel
xo
Thank you.
Thank Him, Kath’!
I LOVE that you put aside GOOD FRIDAY for reflection … I myself do something similar.. I think it’s so important for us to reflect on why we re here and to really listen to what God is trying to tell us … thank you for sharing this writing 🙂
Karen, nice to see you at my house!!!
I love the idea of stopping everything and hanging out at the cross for a while. What perfect timing for this type of reflection. I honestly don’t ever recall doing this simple but necessary time with Him using the details you bring up. Thanks :).
Candace, so glad you stopped by. It all begins at The Cross!
I love this so and I am with you… all the bossy lists or even ‘fun’ errands are pushed aside on Friday… at least for a good part of it – so I can sit and read and listen and reflect… so I can lean in like Simon, and see miracles like Malchus! 😉
♥
This is awesome. I think Good Friday really tends to be overlooked, I am glad that you shared this. Very encouraging.
Thank you, Natalie.
Thank you for taking me to the cross with your words. Beautiful. And you’re right–without the cross, there would be no resurrection!
He paid it all!
The cross is where it all begins. We indeed cannot experience Easter without first experiencing the cross. Also I need to read the Ragamuffin Gospel.
Tara, you would LOVE Brennan Manning! All is GRACE.
Thanks for the inspiration. You are exactly right. We need to stop and ponder what He did for us!
Today, Good Friday, is the day to do just that. Thanks for visiting, Sharon.
Great post Susan! Lots of truth here!!
Thanks, C.
Beautiful, Susan! Good Friday is so important. We just changed our move schedule because we realize we had scheduled it for Good Friday. Can’t be busy moving that day nor can we be the cause of the movers having to work that day. Much more important matters to which we have to attend — spending that valued and precious time at the Cross.
Now, that is incredible, Shelby. I know it was out of conviction, not convenience! xo
Susan, love, love, love your post and the graphic with the quote by Brennan Manning. Oh, how we need to truly experience the love of Christ poured out at the cross, His free gift of salvation, that we are justified on the basis of His finished work on the Cross. That, right now, we are under the completely sufficient imputed righteousness of Christ. Because we have placed our trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ, we are redeemed by His precious blood. The threat of failure, judgment, and condemnation has been removed. Knowing that God’s love for me and approval of me will never be determined by my performance is the most encouraging promise to which I cling. Many blessings to you, sweet friend.
Beth, I cling to His promise! Thanks for visiting today!
What a beautiful thought and great idea for Good Friday. So true…without the cross there would be no Christians. I am thankful that Jesus completed His mission and I look forward to seeing Him in Heaven someday!
Me too, Horace, me too!
This is wonderful, Susan. I’m thankful for the cross because I would be in a mess without it. Thank you for sharing with Thankful Thursdays.
Lori, oh my can’t even think about it!