The power of the Cross

This isn't at all much of an update in terms of me and what I've been doing except to say that for the best part of the last hour I've been singing the glories of the Cross - the self-sacrifice of Jesus Christ, Son of God. For the last four Wednesdays myself and a few others have been having an informal theology class in the afternoon, focussing entirely on what we call the atonement - the means by which sinful people like us are set right with God. Today I presented a small talk on one aspect of this wonderful work of God and in the writing, the presenting, and the discussion that followed I could not help but be awed by the Cross once more.

Most modern worship songs have not spent the time in meditation on the significance of what happened there, choosing perhaps to zoom in on the love demonstrated by dying for one's enemies. But the majesty, the justice, the power, the wisdom, and the sheer bonkers mercy of it becomes far more apparent the more you study it. So I spent my time remembering how to play (on guitar) a great variety of songs that trumpet the greatness of the Cross. Here's a few choice lines:

You were crushed by my sin
Your punishment has brought me peace
And by the wounds you suffered
I'm alive and healed

Here is love vast as the ocean,
Lovingkindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our ransom
Shed for us His precious blood

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin!

Oh to see the pain written on your face
Bearing the awesome weight of sin
Every bitter thought, every evil deed
Crowning your bloodstained brow

And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His, and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

Behold Him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness
The great unchangeable "I AM"
The king of glory and of grace

There are many other great verses of praise of this amazing triumph of God, but these are some of the ones I sung. What becomes all the more clear is that this Cross is the foundation of everything. I beg any of you who have known this, don't "graduate" from the Cross. It is the power and wisdom of God - it is His salvation. You cannot improve upon it, you cannot substitute for it - you can only glory in it.

Two more verses to consider. If you do not know about this Cross and why I'm making such a big deal over it (and you're still reading this far!), you can consider these verses too. Whoever you are I urge you to examine this great wonder that God has put forth in the man Jesus Christ. It's no theological novelty, it's a breathtaking, scandalous, horrific, glorious, historical act that changes everything. This is not just "What Christians believe" but what God has done on the open stage of history for all to see. If it's "the way we like to think about things" then it may be mildly interesting, but it is wholly insignificant. However if the historical fact of this man, Jesus, tortured to death on a Cross outside Jerusalem 2000 years ago means all I think it does, then it affects literally everything. I'll let these last verses explain what it's all about.

This the power of the Cross
Christ became sin for us
Took the blame, bore the wrath
We stand forgiven at the Cross

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

Stand, or fall, on this Cross, but don't ignore it. Glory be to God!