POWER OF THE CROSS

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.” Galatians 5:24 NLT

Nowadays, many Protestant churches have minimized the forty days before Easter, called Lent.  Even though we break no spiritual law by ignoring this time, we do miss out on an important season that calls us to meditate and search our souls for things that might block us from a deep relationship with our God and from receiving more of his love and blessings.  Let me urge you to commit time to being before the Lord and allowing the Holy Spirit to show you what might be changed in your heart. It will be more than worth it.

As we meditate on the Cross of Christ we might discover, or be reminded, of its power. Paul exhorts us to remember in 1 Corinthians 1:18 “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” It is the power to save us once and forever, no matter how we might fall.  It is also the power to continue to rescue us from sin and sinful thinking and habits, as we return to it in repentance.

The empty Cross reminds us that Jesus paid it all, he took all the punishment we deserve, for all times, and for every time we fall short of God’s holiness.  The Cross sets us free from condemnation once and every time we come to confess and be cleansed in Christ’s blood, his righteousness. (1 John 1:9) Satan hates the Cross because he knows he loses every battle when we depend on Jesus’ completed work for us there.

When was the last time you came to the Cross and participated in the exchange available to us there?  Our sin is exchanged for Christ’s righteousness, our fear for his love, our anger for his forgiveness and peace, our weakness for his strength, and so much more.

Father God wants to give you exceedingly more than you could imagine, not in some distant future, but right now.  No, you don’t deserve it, but Jesus has already been paid the price for every good gift the Father wants to extend to you. 

I urge you, sit at the Cross, meditate on its power for you and then ask the Holy Spirit what needs to be exchanged there.  Be set free, be encouraged and receive new strength to carry on.  Then, worship the God who loves you so intimately and dearly!

 Pray with me: Father God, forgive me for allowing busyness and the concerns of my day to block me from receiving all that you desire for me in this time.  Holy Spirit, multiply my faith.  Stir in me the desire to sit at the foot of the Cross and to participate in the great exchange and receive the very power of resurrection that is always available to me. In your precious name, Jesus. Amen.

Dear friend, may your spirit be awakened to the love, power and promises available at the Cross. Be blessed with amazement and awe as you sit at the Cross and receive fresh revelation of who your Savior is and all that God has released to you in the season of Lent.   Amen.
Mary Sumner
March 22, 2019