Lesson 90
"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (I Corinthians 11:1)
The St. Paul School, with Frank Eiklor, Eileen Young and Walter and Cecilia Contreras)
THE OLD RUGGED CROSS
(God's Open Window Into His Love)
How much are you worth to the One that matters most-God? So much that His Son, Jesus, would hang on a cross for six hours of agony and torment so that you could live forever. That's why the Cross is like an open window into God's love for you. We know Christ is alive forevermore. His resurrection shows His power. But it is His sinless body and heart being hated, rejected and ridiculed that draws my tears again and again and again. His death shows His love.
Kneel before the Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you the timeless message of the Cross. You will hear the voice of Jesus deep in your spirit. This is what I often hear Him say:
- I shall take upon myself the curse that you deserve for breaking God's laws.
"Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"). Galatians 3:13
- I shall take your nakedness of sin.
"So he (Adam) said, I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself." Genesis 3:10
"And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:13
- I shall absorb your weakness and helplessness.
"He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him." Matthew 27:42
"For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God..." 2 Corinthians 13:4
- I shall endure prolonged suffering so that you will see no retreat from my love for you.
"Then Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. And they divided His garments and cast lots." Luke 23:34
- I will be lifted on a cross between heaven and earth-and my love will draw you to Me.
"And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself. This He said, signifying by what death He would die." John 12:32,33
- My cross is directional-vertical and horizontal-like the love in My heart. Love me and you will love others, just like I love the Father and you.
"As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father." John 10:15,18
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34, 35
- The cross will provide an autopsy of My heart broken for you.
"But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out." John 19:34
- Look intently at My cross and you will see someone else-your old sin-loving nature-crucified with me. Now I can put my new God-life in you and make you a new creation.
"Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin." Romans 6:6
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
This is what I see when I gaze at that old rugged cross. Jesus may show you much more. One thing is for sure. The more clearly we see His sufferings, the more we will love the One who considered our souls worth it all!
