Do you own a cross necklace or have a decorative cross hanging somewhere in your home? I do. Many of us wear crosses around our necks, in our ears, or as rings on our fingers. Maybe you have a cross tattoo. I have a set of candles with crosses on them. The cross has not only become a symbol of the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ, but also mainstream symbol of religion and simple spirituality.
For too many, all these crosses carry a superficial sentiment. It doesn’t move us like it should. Even the decorative cross hanging in my living room does not move me to tears because of Christ’s sacrifice or my guilt. It should. But I bought it at Hobby Lobby because it looked pretty. It is easy to forget what the cross is truly all about.
And on the other end of this spectrum are those who have placed too much emphasis on the cross as an object. Throughout history many have sought out pieces of the ”true” cross of Christ. Way back in 326 AD the Empress Helen (the mother of Constantinople) began to search for Christ’s tomb and the place of Golgotha. As the story goes, Helen ended up finding 3 crosses which she believed to have been the cross of Christ as well as those used to execute the two thieves who hung next to Jesus. Like those who miss the significance of the cross in light of its popular artistic merit, so some have missed its significance by looking for the wood it was made of.
How was Helen going to figure out which one of the three crosses actually held the body of Jesus? There are a couple different stories. One says that there was a woman in the city–a prominent lady who was terminally ill. One by one the crosses were brought to her. The first two crosses did nothing, but when the nearly-dead woman touched the third cross she was instantly healed.
Throughout the years many have made pilgrimages to see, touch and kiss an alleged part of the “real cross” in order to be healed and receive blessing. Sadly many have turned the cross into an idol, believing that the wooden cross beams had special powers. The instrument of torture, for many, became something to trust in apart from Jesus Christ.
But the cross is not a trinket we can put on and take off. Nor is it just an example of suffering and obedience. It is not a relic filled with healing power. It is not merely a beautiful piece of decoration. The cross is not a talisman that will bring us good luck and blessings.
The truth is, whether or not the cross on which Jesus died still exists is irrelevant. A piece of wood holds no power. The cross was a device of torture on which the Son of God secured for us the eternal forgiveness of God the father.
“He brought you to life along with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions; obliterating the bond against us, with its legal claims, which was opposed to us, He also removed it from our midst, nailing it to the Cross.”
– Colossians 2:13-14
The cross itself is not our hope. What Jesus did on the cross is what saves all who believe.
On the cross Jesus made satisfaction of God’s wrath.
On the cross Jesus made payment of our ransom.
On the cross Jesus was punished for our sins.
On the cross Jesus destroyed the power of sin and the curse of death.
And on the cross Jesus ensured forgiveness for those who believe in him.
This is what our study is all about. How Jesus obtained for us the forgiveness of sins by his death.
In this study we will examine many of the different facets of forgiveness. Why do we need it? How do we get it? What is the extent of our forgiveness and how should it change us?
The cross is precious because on it our Savior poured out his life for us. We received pardon and the power to forgive others. Forgiveness is our precious treasure but we can’t hang forgiveness on our walls, or drape it around our necks, but we use the cross as a reminder of the beautiful gift of forgiveness Christ gave to us.
______________________________________________________
Friends, we are so excited to begin You Are Forgiven with you this coming Monday!
You can grab a copy on Amazon here: You Are Forgiven
Download our Love God Greatly app here: Love God Greatly app
Find a Love God Greatly group to join here: Love God Greatly groups
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.
My Mom’s best friend has a cross necklace that she wears all the time. It is very sentimental to her, she accepted the Lord later in life and this necklace was given to her for the occasion, and she doesn’t buy any other crosses, for jewelry or decorations because her words were similar to this message. She said this is a reminder of what Jesus did for me and if I get more and more then it will blend into the landscape and mean nothing. Of course one of my favorite songs is At the Cross particularly this:
At the cross, at the cross where
I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
OH how wonderful is it that we have someone that died for us? He died for our sins so that we could be forgiven! I simply cannot wait to see how this study will impact the lives of so many!
Thanks for sharing! I love the way this is talked about here! It’s not the object, it’s Jesus did that is the focus!
Mondee~LLG Encourager
Such a beautiful statement….I do have a pin little Cross that I put in my clothes to remind me of Jesus being near to me as he said, in Hebrews 13:5, I will never leave you nor forsake you. With these story, I remembered my grandmother who passed away already, having a decorative cross, I would see her kneeling down and praying with that decorative Cross when evening comes, seeing that image of her now made me think of how much she loves Jesus. One time, I was approached by a brother in Christ, I was just newly saved and been going to a new Christian church, when he asked me why the Christian Cross does not have Jesus image on it , I did not know the answer, he said, it’s because Jesus had risen from the dead, it was the best thing I have learned! and have kept it in my heart and everytime I buy Cross, I would just get without Jesus image to remember Jesus, isn’t here, he had risen….that is why Easter is such an important event for us Christian for we believe in Jesus resurrection, with his resurrection he gave us a new life an everlasting life, he died so we can have the forgiveness of sins.
Marilyn, thank you so much for sharing your heart with us! Sounds like your grandmother led a life that was a great example for you! – Elizabeth, LGG Encourager
Thanks for sharing! I love the way this is talked about here! It’s not the object, it’s Jesus did that is the focus!
Mondee~LLG Encourager
Marilyn, I’m having technical difficulties, did not mean to post the same response twice! I have never heard what you explained, I like that thought! Thank you
Mondee ~LGG Encourager
Well, I did not know that, Marilyn! Thank you for clarifying the difference between the Christian cross and the Catholic cross. It’s visually noticeable, but the meaning as to why is new to me. And so clearly true! Our Jesus doesn’t hang on a cross, He reigns on high with God His Father!
Is purchasing the book necessary? I have downloaded the reading plan and yet to join a group.
Marie, purchasing the book is not mandatory. There is additional information in the book, but the download has all the needed study materials in it.
I am facilitating a group on Facebook that has room left in it still if you are still looking for a group. You can get to it by going to https://www.facebook.com/groups/864813586986631/ and clicking on “Join.” I so look forward to studying with you if you decide to join 🙂 – Elizabeth, LGG Encourager
I did the first three studies with the free downloadable material! I printed it out and put in a binder, and on first one I used my personal journal only. So glad to have you in the study!
Mondee~LGG-Encourager
I have a tattoo of my old church’s cross that was on the altar on my wrist. I did it in 2012 when I came out of a bad situation at work and it was all thanks to God who saved me, forgave me, and let me forgive others even though they never accepted my apologies. Thank you Lord for saving me, forgiving me, and loving me. I look to you for all things.
Praise God for His redeeming love and forgiveness!
Beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
Mondee~LGG Encourager
I would love to join this group!
Sabrina, we would love to have you join a group! Check out the blog post from this past Tuesday to see what groups are available… http://lovegodgreatly.com/join-group-forgiven-study/ – Elizabeth, LGG Encourager
I do have a cross in my house, in my car and one I wear either on my wrist or in my neck. It reminds me of whose I am. When I am troubled I reflect on the cross. When I need strength I reflect on the cross. However, I have never noticed whether it was a Catholic or Christian Cross. Either one provides the same support for me.