Thank You For The Cross

Daily Bible Reading - 1 Kings 15, Jeremiah 41, Mark 15

Thank You For The Cross (Mark 15)

As a young girl I never understood what the cross was all about. I saw it on a necklace, hanging on a wall, in a book (which I discovered later was the Bible) even on t-shirts yet I never knew the significance of it. At the age of 20 I was invited to church and in the course of a few short weeks I discovered the significance of the cross. From that point on my life was changed for eternity!

As we read Mark 15 we see Jesus tried, beaten, crucified and buried. Throughout it all He was mocked, laughed at, exposed and accused. I have only seen the Passion of the Christ once, it was a bit tough to watch, yet it showed the brutality in all Christ went through at that moment. Yet Hebrews 12:2 says "...for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross..." he went through the shame and pain of the cross because of the joy that was on the other side of it.

What joy? The joy of knowing that because of what He was doing in that moment you and I and millions of others would be able to live for eternity in the presence of our Heavenly Father and Savior. The Bible says in Romans 6:23 "for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord". The penalty for sin is death. You and I should have been the ones hanging on that cross but God in His love sent Christ to take our place. It was through His innocent sacrifice and shedding of His blood that made a way for you and I to come to God.

In Mark 15:38 we see that the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The veil was a divider between the holy place and the Most Holy place where the presence of God dwelt in the temple. When the veil tore from top to bottom it was a sign that God Himself was removing the divider, the thing that hindered you and I from entering into His presence. Before the veil was torn only the High Priest could enter the Most Holy place but now Jesus made a way for us all to enter!

By receiving what Christ did for us on the cross we experience forgiveness of sins and the promise of abundant life, here on earth and eternity in heaven. So I encourage you to meditate on this passage today, think about all that Christ went through in that moment and remember that He did so with joy knowing that YOU were on the other side of His sacrifice.

If you have never received Jesus Christ into your life simply pray this prayer with me right now and experience the forgiveness of God and the life He died to give you: Jesus, thank you for the cross. I ask you to forgive me for my sins, I ask you to be my Lord and Savior come into my life and take over. In Jesus name, Amen!

Tomorrow's Bible Reading - 1 Kings 16, Jeremiah 42, Mark 16

Enjoying the Journey,
Katie