John 12: 23, 27-28

Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”

The cross of Jesus is God’s centerpiece on the table of time. It’s not the end of the story. You can see that by the way in which the whole Bible is structured. The Old Testament is filled with symbolism, pictures, prophecy, and messages all pointing ahead to the day the Messiah came and was lifted up on a cross. The New Testament points back to that event with preachers like Peter, Paul, and others proclaiming that event as the goal and fulfillment of Jesus’ life.

Jesus himself knew and understood that. The cross wasn’t something he wanted to avoid, nor was it defeat.

It was the goal.

It was the place where life would be won.

He didn’t ask to be saved from that moment, but rather embraced it.

Don’t think for a minute, however, that it was easy. It wasn’t. He knew the pain involved, but that wasn’t the part that troubled him. He knew what this cross meant. All the sins of the world heaped onto him and he would pay for them. He would be treated as the enemy. He would bear the punishment. But in doing so, it meant people in the world would be treated as God’s friends. People would go free and receive eternal life.

From now until April 20, Easter, take some time to thank God for the cross. Thank Jesus for his willingness to suffer and die so we might live eternally. Meditate on the sacrifice Jesus made for you. Thank you Jesus for the cross, for embracing it, enduring it, and completing God’s plan of salvation so we could have life again.