The cross (conclusion)

I have engraved you on the palms of my hands (Isaiah 49:16).

When you look at the cross, do you see a throne?  Thrones are where kings rule.  Thrones are where kings exercise their authority.  Jesus is our king, and for one incredible day the bloodstained cross served as His royal throne.  From that throne the Son of God exercised His authority over sin, destroying its power to separate us from God.  From that throne the King of All declared us forgiven and restored as citizens of His Kingdom.  From the throne of the cross, the Son of God worked the biggest, most important miracle of all time—our freedom from the clutches of evil.

When you look at the cross, do you see your forgiveness taking place?  Christ gave His life for you, that you might be His own.  God said through Isaiah the prophet, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.  When the nails were pounded through Jesus’ hands into the cross where He died, those scars became permanent reminders of His love for you. The scars remain, even though Jesus rose from the dead.  When told of the resurrection, His follower Thomas said, Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it. A week later Jesus stood before Thomas saying, Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe (John chapter 20).  The cross has left its mark on Jesus, scars representing a love so deep that He suffered condemnation and death to bring you forgiveness and everlasting life. Now and forever, you are etched in the Savior’s hands.

When you look at the cross, do you see a reminder to forgive as the Lord forgave you?  Jesus suffered greatly to offer us a precious gift—release from guilt so we can have a new start with hearts full of gratefulness and love.  This wonderful gift brings us back to God and enfolds us in His loving arms, but it does not stop there.  The gift given to us from the cross is to be shared with all people.  The cross displayed on every church is an invitation to enter and be forgiven by God as well as by everyone sitting with you together in worship. 

The cross of Christ is ultimately about forgiveness, forgiveness that is freely given and gratefully received.  This is the message of the cross.  This is the essence of what it means to be Christian.