THIS SERIES: EASTER THOUGHTS
The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
[1 Corinthians 1:18]
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
[1 Corinthians 1:18]
It’s Good Friday. If you haven't already taken time to meditate on the vital importance of the Cross in your life, try & carve out some time today.
I was reminded of this story from the Old Testament:
I was reminded of this story from the Old Testament:
(The Israelites) travelled from Mount Horeb along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom.
But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses,
and said, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?
There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!"
Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died.
The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people.
The LORD said to Moses,
"Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live."
So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole.
Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.
[Numbers 21 4-9]
But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses,
and said, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?
There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!"
Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died.
The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people.
The LORD said to Moses,
"Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live."
So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole.
Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.
[Numbers 21 4-9]
According to Jesus, the bronze serpent was a prophetic picture of the cross [John 3:14-15]. All the Hebrews had to do was look at the serpent-staff, and they were healed. No hard work, no straining for faith, just looking. The implication for us, is that we also receive life - in its fullest sense - by turning our gaze on the cross.
Read the annotated version of Isaiah 53 on the Power of the Cross page, then turn your heart towards the Lord, gaze at the cross with the 'eyes of your heart', and receive from Him.
Alternatively, set aside some time over the next week and use the personal retreat, The 7 Wounds of Jesus.
The Cross has the power to transform our lives – let’s avail ourselves of all of its benefits.
Read the annotated version of Isaiah 53 on the Power of the Cross page, then turn your heart towards the Lord, gaze at the cross with the 'eyes of your heart', and receive from Him.
Alternatively, set aside some time over the next week and use the personal retreat, The 7 Wounds of Jesus.
The Cross has the power to transform our lives – let’s avail ourselves of all of its benefits.
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