"near the cross, near the cross"
"Yes, God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him may not die but may have eternal life." —John 3:16
"When I behold the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride." This traditional hymn simply says that when we look at the cross, we can change dramatically.
"They shall look on Him Whom they have pierced" (Jn 19:37). "The centurion who stood guard over Him, on seeing the manner of His death, declared, 'Clearly this Man was the Son of God!' " (Mk 15:39) When we see Jesus lifted up on the cross, as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, we are drawn to believe and "have eternal life in Him" (Jn 3:14-15; 12:32). Paul transformed the most hardened hearts by speaking "of nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (1 Cor 2:2). He proclaimed the gospel by displaying before the eyes of all Jesus Christ upon the cross (Gal 3:1).
Would you prayerfully consider looking for ten seconds daily at a representation of Jesus on the cross? This prayer in action will be the occasion for Jesus transforming you into a new person. You will proclaim with Paul: "May I never boast of anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ! Through it, the world has been crucified to me and I to the world" (Gal 6:14).
Prayer: Jesus, may I always consciously live in the shadow of Your cross.
Promise: "It was thus that He humbled Himself, obediently accepting even death, death on a cross! Because of this, God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name above every other name." —Phil 2:8-9
Praise: "We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You, because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world."
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Crucified to the World on audio AV 40A-3 or video V-40A.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 8, 2005
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