Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
You see them everywhere, Rappers wear large ones around their necks, Rock stars have tattoos of them on their arms. Hollywood movie stars wear them made of gold and diamonds.
"The cross." I wonder how many of them know what it really stands for, what it really means.
Several years ago there was a guy who I use to talk with on occasion when I worked at RJR and don’t be-lieve he was a saved man, if he was he wasn’t walking the walk and for sure wasn’t talking the talk.
He used foul language, had a reputation of being a big pot smoker. One morning he came in with a large cross on a chain around his neck. When I had a chance I commented on his cross and politely ask him. "What does that cross mean to you"? His answer was..."I just think it’s pretty" Why he answered, what does the one you wear mean to you? I glad you ask, I said.
I found this cross in the dirtiest place that you could imagine. I found it on the bathroom floor in a night club in Greenville S.C. several years ago. It was Gods way of reminding me what He did for me by be-coming a man by the name of Jesus Christ. That man who was God Himself died on one of these but, it was made of wood and it was not as pretty as the ones you and I wear. This man Jesus who was God in the flesh was nailed to a wooden cross to pay for your sins and mine.
Why would He do that?
Because the Bible says that Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Because He loves you and I, and we have no way of paying for our own sins so, He paid for them Himself by dying on a cross. An innocent man, the God of our universe was only guilty of loving us.
He chose a time in the history of mankind that judgment was quick, punishment was very cruel but, that cruel death, that cruel punishment paid for an eternal home in Heaven with Him for those that ask for-giveness of sins and believe on Him ; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
You see, it doesn’t end with His death on that cross. He arose from the grave. He resurrected in a glorified body, one that will never die, so that as the Bible says in Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Saved from our sins, saved from eternal damnation in Hell.
So, that cross you and I wear is a confession that we are murderers. We are guilty of murdering the Lord Jesus because of our sins. I couldn’t wear this little gold cross I found until I ask Jesus to forgive me of my sins and my disobedience and neglecting Him for many years and I was ready to follow Him.
That young man didn’t wear that cross again to work but, I heard sometime later that he changed and gave up a lot of things he was doing like drugs and alcohol.
I still wear this little gold cross today that I found many years ago.
It still means I’m a murderer but, God gave me a pardon through Jesus Christ my Saviour. I don’t wear this little cross because it’s pretty, I wear it because He came to the most filthiest place imaginable to remind me of His love for me and in hopes that someone else will ask. "
What does that cross your wearing mean to you?" I’m glad you ask.
Love in Christ Jesus, Ronnie Miller www.themillersbiblestudy.com
