“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1:18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Many people around the world are thinking of the cross today. Others are simply taking a holiday and are headed to the beach, lake, mountains, a camp site, or some other destination. Schools are on "Spring Break". Traditionally, we call this day "Good Friday".  I hope we will take the time to settle ourselves and contemplate the significance of what this day commemorates: the crucifixion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Does the kangaroo court trial, the brutal beating (scourging), and the Roman crucifixion of Jesus mean anything to you? The cross was a curse. “But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.””  ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Paul, the apostle, was quoting from Deuteronomy 21:23, the law of Moses. Jesus hung on the cross for our curses (transgressions). A transgression is a violation of the law. Each of us have violated God's law (standard). Romans 3:23 and 24 says “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God freely and graciously declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.” NLT. Do you truly understand the absolute significance of this reality? It is the hope of the world! Let us take the time today to thoroughly consider, and receive, the reality of Christ our Savior. His Lordship qualifies Him as an acceptable payment for the sins of the world. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” ‭‭John‬ ‭3:16-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬ What does the cross mean to you?