Melvin Newland tells a story about a little girl who proudly wore a shiny cross on a chain around her neck. One day she was approached by a man who said to her, “Little girl, don’t you know that the cross Jesus died on wasn’t beautiful like the one you’re wearing? It was an ugly, wooden thing.” To which the girl replied, “Yes, I know. But they told me in Sunday School that whatever Jesus touches, He changes.”
Indeed He does! And it’s never more apparent than in the cross. Too often the cross is reduced to mere images. Pictures. Icons. But the cross has a message. It has meaning. It has significance.
To a skeptical Grecian world, the apostle to the Gentiles penned, “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (I Cor 1:18, NASU).
The word of the cross. Think how that word changed from Friday to Sunday.
Here are some of the words that describe Jesus and the cross on Friday.
Shameful. Jesus died a shameful death. One reserved for criminals. Like the thieves on each side. It was a disgraceful death.
Despised. Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be “despised and rejected by men.” (Isa. 53:3) In his death on the cross He was scorned. Hated. Detested.
Mocked. As he hung on the cross he was ridiculed by the soldiers. By those who walked by. By the unbelievers. But the contempt began earlier in his ministry “when he came unto His own, and they did not receive him.”
Blasphemy. The Jews charged him with being a blasphemer. Guilty of Sacrilege. A traitor. Jesus claimed to be Deity. That God was His father. For that “outrageous” claim He was killed.
But that was on Friday.
On Sunday the whole meaning of the cross changed in its significance. Following the resurrection the word of the cross speaks to us and says…
Power. We see the power of God. The power of the gospel. The power of the blood. The power of the resurrection. In what was perceived as weakness became a symbol of power.
Reconciliation. The cross became the means of uniting Jews and Gentiles. (Eph 2:16) Men and women. Servants and Masters. Of bringing people into a relationship with God. Being right with God.
Peace. In the irony of all ironies the brutality and cruelty of the cross produced peace. Peace with God. Inner peace. Peace with other people. Jesus reigns as the “prince of peace.” His sacrifice brought security. Serenity. Tranquility.
Salvation. Yes, to us who have received salvation, the cross is the power of God. The cross is the means by which we have access to God. Cleansing of sins. Salvation from past sins. Present sins. And future sins. Salvation that provides eternal aspirations.
Have you let Jesus touch your life? If not, He will change it! He can reconcile you to God in the cross. Infuse you with the power of His blood. Provide you peace of mind. And secure your eternal salvation.
It may be Friday, but just remember Sunday’s coming!
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
ThePreachersWord 
Hi Ken! Don’t know if you remember Ruth Long Conger from Plainfield, IN or not. Our son, Jimmy, sent me your link. This is great and I’m so happy to have it now.
Remembering your family with much love. Ruth Conger
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Yes, I do Ruth! Good to hear from you. Thanks for reading my blog and for taking the time to respond.
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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