The Cross

The Cross
Revealed and Remembered

We can look around us and see crosses almost everywhere from church signs to jewelry. Do we really realize the importance of the cross of Calvary or do we take this precious symbol for granted?

In the Bible, we find the cross to be a tool of execution for the worst criminals. A person who was sentenced to Crucifixion was nailed to the cross, each hand stretched and nailed as far as could be pulled and the feet nailed together. The cross was lifted up and dropped into a hole disjointing the body. The weight hung on nails as the prisoner suffered excruciating pain until he died.

If this brutal murder was committed today, it would be exploited throughout the media as a horrific crime. The people responsible would no doubt be labeled ruthless murders, yet it was the religious society of government who torched and crucified Jesus Christ.
Matthew 27:1 "When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death."

Why is this significant?? He was God's son sent to die this tragic death to pay for our sins.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, at he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

In the Old Testament, the altars of Israel represented the cross. Altars were erected for a purpose-a place where innocent blood was shed for the guilty(the essence of the cross). History tells us that these altars such a stench of death that they could be smelled before they were seen. The people of that day hated the ugly sight of their blood soaked altars. They planted trees around them to lessen the severity. However, God declared that no groves or decorations be placed around the altar.(Deuteronomy 16:21-22 "Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the Lord thy God, which thou shalt make thee. Neither shall thou set thee up any image; which the Lord thy God hateth.")

God wanted to ensure that they did not fall into the trap of idolatry and forget the meaning of the altar.

Many churches today are also guilty of trying to hide the severity of the cross from "sensitive minds."

Violence, incest, rape, etc. are rampant in our society and brought into our homes by television; yet most feel that we should "decorate" Jesus' death on the cross.

Too many modern churches are afraid of offending someone. Have we watered down and rose-scented the salvation message to the extent that we refuse to tell men that they must come by way of the cross?
John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Modern religionists protest the "bloody gospel" of the cross. Some have even removed any mentioning of the blood from their songbook. While a symbol of salvation, the church MUST REMEMBER the cross as a bloody horror.

The altar is still a place of death. We must die to self.
Romans 8:13 "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." Crucify(mortify to put to death) sinful ways and be forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ."

I John 1:7-9 "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Although there's nothing wrong with church social gatherings, they should not be used as an attraction for sinners. Today's churches must turn back to the cross. Sinners do not need social clubs or entertainment. They need the gospel message set forth in the Word of God.

Salvation does not come by way of a handshake, water tank or joining a congregation. It only comes through the blood of Jesus.
Hebrews 9:14 "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the Living God."

True salvation will bring about a changed life, a separation from worldly things with a new love from God and the truth of His Word.

Are you a pastor or layman taking pride that the messages in your church are not offensive? BEWARE:You could be sending people to hell.
I John 2:15 "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

A lost person, having a carnal nature, should not be able to sit at ease in church and feel no condemnation.
Hebrews 4:12 "For the Word of Gos is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

Correction is part of love.
Proverbs 3:12 " For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth."

Our mission as Christians is to bring the salvation message to the lost. The cross MUST be the only attraction and appeal.
John 12:32 "Jesus said, "And I, if I be lifted up from earth will draw all men unto me."

For more information:
Tabernacle of the Living God
1098 South Main St.
Milan, TN 38358 US
Email: milanlivinggod@hotmail.com