When we look in Scriptures about the cross, it was a cruel and horrid death. There wasn't time spent on making these execution pieces beautiful and smooth. Look at the symbol of the cross as it is used today. Beautiful ornaments, worn on jewelry and covered in silver and gold. Sometimes they are edged and shine with a brilliance that cannot be missed. The symbol of the cross is found almost anywhere you look. Sometime back we had a fellow walking through our city with a big cross. However, that cross was made out of a light material that looked like wood, smoothly sanded, rich in luster and had two wheels on the bottom, with padding across the beams for comfort to pull along.
The sacrifice of Jesus was anything but beautiful. When we look at the horrors, that was a message sent to us from heaven: THIS IS YOU! It was my penalty, my sins, my lusts and selfish desires that caused such pain. Yet God was willing, in order to save us, to put His Son to death so we might live.
Where has all this taken us? The popular religious beliefs of today more often focus on joy, happiness, peace, health and prosperity rather than atonement, obedience, responsibility, faithfulness, self-denial and commitment. People seem to want to cuddle and hug this beautiful jewelry never thinking that so many went to prison, suffered countless beatings, whippings and dangers for the cause of Christ and a heart commitment to His cause. Look how little evangelism there is anymore. People daily are headed to eternity thinking that all is well because God loves everyone so much no one will lose their soul who is a kind and gentle person!!! The gold of the cross shines brightly!
I guess in all this, the final thrust of things is to put a happy face on the cross and bask in our safety, comfort, and approval from others while ultimately loosing our souls.
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