From the crib to the cross (Part 2)
From the crib to the cross (Part 2): What are you going to do about it?
Good morning, friends in Jesus! Today, we continue where we left off a few days ago.
Each of us is on a journey somewhere between Bethlehem and Golgotha; somewhere between the crib and the cross; somewhere on their journey of suffering.
When we look at Golgotha on that day, we see three crosses. In the middle is the cross of Jesus and on each side of Him, two criminals. Indeed, it is us that are hanging on the crosses beside the Saviour. We are full of sin, our own desire to embrace the flesh, our injustice, and most of all, our own selves. Just like the two criminals we deserve death, but somehow, we reach our own Golgotha.
For some the journey ends in sackcloth and ash, those who do not want to accept the saving grace God has provided for us. Some outright refuse it. They prefer to rather live without God on their road to eternal damnation. One criminal says this:
39And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. – Luke 23:39
He is unrepentant.
We also have the other criminal on the cross, the one who realised his mistake just before he died:
42And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. – Luke 23:42-43
This is an example of those of us who may have lived a life of sin but now realise that the last breath of Jesus was not the end, but a new beginning. While Satan and his allies expected yet another sinner to join their ranks, this one was saved. In addition, the biggest prize the devil was waiting for, eluded him – a grave that is now empty, because the Saviour of the world has risen to life. His new breath of life is also our new breath of life.
On our journey we meet others daily. We hear their stories – some are still at the crib in Bethlehem, hopeful. Then there are some at the cross, hopeless and destitute at Golgotha right where their saving grace is. Our own story is finely interwoven with that of others that are on the same journey we are.
This is a message of hope for each traveller. It does not matter where you currently find yourself on your journey. There is an empty grave at the end of the road, and God is present in each part of your travels between Bethlehem and Golgotha. Because Jesus lives, we can face tomorrow. Because He lives, we can also live in the victory of the cross:
6And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. – Mark 16:6
Conclusion
Do you believe in the cross of Jesus Christ? The cross is blood stained, filled with pain. The same cross is also love and forgiveness. However, there is a requirement for me and you – that we will confess the forgiveness of sin, not just for ourselves, but to the rest of a world that is lost and in darkness.
If you believe this, what are you going to do about it? Repent. Confess. Believe.
All the best
Gerhardt