Journey to the Cross
It’s become fashionable these days to wear crosses, not necessarily as a sign of faith, but as a
trendy accessory. Crosses are hip now. An encounter at a department store jewelry counter.
Customer is interested in buying a cross, to which the sales clerk replies : "Do you want a plain
one, or one with the little man on it?"
Conversation about whether or not a Christian should wear a cross. Reasoning that since the
cross was the way Jesus was executed, totally inappropriate for someone who claimed to be a
Christian to wear one. If your brother was killed in a drive-by shooting, you wouldn’t wear a
silver assault rifle. If one of your friends had been lynched you wouldn’t wear a gold noose.Difference is, those were unwilling victims. Jesus had his eyes fixed on the end of His journey. He was no victim.
ILLUS:
Parents of a ten year old public school boy, failing fifth grade math decided to enroll him in
private Catholic school after trying other options. Son came home the first day of school, walked
right past them, went straight to room, locked the door. 2 hrs. later, emerged for quick meal,
went straight back to studies until bedtime. Pattern continued until end of the first quarter.
Came home with report card, gave it to parents, and went straight to his room. Cautiously
opened it, saw bright red "A" under the subject, MATH, and rushed excitedly into their son’s
room!
" Nuns?" dad asked. "No." “One-on-one tutoring? mentoring?" asked mom. Again, "No."
"textbooks? teacher? curriculum?" asked dad. "No, no, no." Son finally spoke. "From the very
first day of school, I knew that these folks were serious about math. When I walked into the
lobby, and I saw a guy nailed to the PLUS sign, I knew they meant business!"
Jesus carried the cross from the city to its outskirts, a safe estimate of the march would be about
a mile. It was the longest mile, a terrible experience for Jesus to endure. His disciples had
abandoned him, his mother was watching with pain in her heart, and his enemies, skeptics, and
the religious leaders ridiculed and mocked him.
Jesus’ death was not an accident, not a victim but a sacrifice to save and to reconcile us to God.
He said, "I come that they might have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The
good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." Jesus was betrayed, but controlled his own
death. While Simon was forced by the soldiers to carry the cross in the first three gospels, Jesus
needed no prodding. And in the end, Jesus bowed his head and gave up his spirit. He said, “I lay
down my life-only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own
accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again."
Gen. 3 - And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your
offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."
Rom. 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
(Isaiah written @ 700 B.C.)
Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar
with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and
we esteemed him not.
Luke 23:35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They
said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the
Chosen One." The soldiers also came up and mocked him.
Is. 53:4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we
considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
Matt. 8:17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
"He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases."
Isaiah 53:5 - But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our
iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his
wounds we are healed.
John 19:34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear,
bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.
Is. 53:7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was
led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is
silent, so he did not open his mouth.
Matt. 27:12-14 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave
no answer. Then Pilate asked him, "Don’t you hear the testimony they are
bringing against you?" But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single
charge--to the great amazement of the governor.
Christmas is a time of images. Beautifully decorated Christmas trees, bright
colored lights, glittering tinsel and colorful ornaments — wreaths, —
mistletoe — a white Christmas, snowmen, sleighs, Christmas carols —
poinsettia and other beautiful decorations in church sanctuary — family and
friends gathered to share this special time. These are all images which come
to mind at Christmas. Perhaps the most powerful image is the babe in a manger.
The nativity scene might be the most well known image. There we see Mary and
Joseph, the shepherds and Wise Men, all gathered around a babe in a manger.
And, while not altogether historically accurate, it is a wonderful symbol of
what we celebrate this time of year.
Matt. 2:11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and
they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and
presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
Matt. 16:21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he
must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief
priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third
day be raised to life.
Conclusion:
From the moment of our birth, we are on a journey to death. Each day brings us one step closer
to our own cross. Just as Jesus was on a journey to the cross, so are we on that same journey.
And if we believe, the result will be the same. We, thanks to Jesus, will be raised from the dead
and live eternally in heaven with God.
We see a small wooden cross on the side of the highway. Then we see another. Then we see
another, & another, & another. We’ve all seen them. What do they mean? They mark the spot of
some terrible accident and are a reminder of someone who has lost their life.
There is another cross along the highway of life. It is the cross we see in the Bible. It too marks
the spot where something awful happened, but what happened there was no accident. What
happened there was designed somewhere long ago in the great plan of God. Like the little
wooden and plastic crosses along the highway, this cross is also a warning and a witness to
everyone who passes by. All who see it should pause and ponder.
