March 28, 2012
March 26th, 2012March 28, 2012
Hebrews 12:1-2
What the Cross Means To Me
And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God’s throne in heaven.
To me, the cross is a symbol that life triumphs over death. My parents and grandparents made sure I was raised with this belief. An early memory of experiencing the cross was taking my brother, Jack to church camp. Our church would go to the Jumonville Training Center in the Laurel Highlands. At the top of the mountain at Jumonville, stands a white cross, 60 feet tall. You can see it for miles as you are driving there. Whenever we were there we always hiked to the top of the mountain to the base of the cross. What a wonderful sense of being with God. It is said that you can see 7 counties, 3 states and on a clear day you can see almost 50 miles. What a beautiful sight and one of God’s true wonders. It is the perfect place to feel totally at peace with the world. To this day I miss not getting back there more often but think of that particular cross when going through trials in my life. It is the cross that has always given me the most comfort.
My daughter, Rachel, has had a similar experience in a different way. When in her bed, she could see the cross up on the Knob. She was always excited to let us know that the cross was lit, just to remind us that Jesus lives.
On Good Friday many think that the cross symbolizes death. Yes, Jesus did die on the cross for us. But, the cross is not to be a sad or even scary thing that Good Friday sometimes symbolizes. We celebrate Good Friday to remember everything that Jesus did go through for us. And that is life triumphs over death.
One Palm Sunday as a teenager, a pastor’s wife taught us how to change the palm frond into a cross. I have always loved doing this as a true symbol that life triumphs over death. Palm Sunday is that wonderful day of shouting Hosanna and welcoming Jesus. The days following Palm Sunday change everything. Jesus suffered dearly for all of us. Easter brings the resurrection, hence the cross. This does not mean we forget what happens during Holy Week but that we get to celebrate resurrection on Easter and celebrate that LIFE TRULY TRIUMPS OVER DEATH.
Dear Lord, Please keep us focused on you during this Lenten season. As we go through our personal trials may we always be reminded of the trials you suffered on our behalf. Keep us focused on the cross and the joy you bring to our lives. Amen
Sue Ann Jacobs