Some of you may have already known this, but 2011 is the Chinese zodiac year of the Rabbit (Metal). I am not a big proponent of this sort of thing, even though you can see some likenesses in the definitions. However, I think its a little like the psychic on TV late at night - if you say enough general stuff about a person or situation you can create the illusion of knowledge or insight. People really want to believe in something and they want to feel like life is not a complete mystery and crap shoot. I understand that need.
This, hopefully, short devotion is not about rabbits, pigs, dogs, or any other animal represented on the Chinese zodiac calendar. It's about a more profound thing than that. It's about one of the most colossal and monumental things that humankind will ever be exposed to. It's about the Radical Cross of Jesus Christ!
When I feel the spirit hit my mind and fingers to write I start looking at 50 things at once. Scriptures, pictures, word definitions, songs, personal experience and conviction (what I believe without doubt). I know it sounds messy, and it probably is, but it's a process to me. An insight here for the reader is that if I have not been diligent in weaving these threads into a single tapestry they can appear disjointed. So if I write something that leaves you scratching your heads that is probably why.
One of things that I looked at was the meaning of the word Radical. I was listening to a Steve Camp song, "The Cross Is A Radical Thing" while doing my "research" and I started to follow that word radical. Its origins may surprise you a bit. It did me. Wikipedia says that the word has Latin roots (not surprising) and that the meaning has to do with "roots" or "the root" . Dictionary.com says "of or going to the root, fundamental: a radical difference.
That is indeed what the Cross of Christ is. It is at the root and the fundamentals of a Christian's faith. Indeed the Cross is a Radical thing as I Cor. 1:18 explains, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God". This verse puts a lot of things into context; and context and perspective is everything.
The Cross of Jesus is just a bloody stick to someone who does not believe (and as a result are perishing), BUT, to anyone and everyone who believes and names the name of Christ the Cross is a Radical, Fundamental Life Changing Thing!!
The Cross is the only thing that we should brag about!
The Cross reconciles us with the law and joins us to God!
The Cross Authorizes the Name of Jesus!
The Cross made peace with man and God and brought us together with Him!
The Cross holds the ledger that shows our debts are Paid In Full!
The Cross is the cost of the Joy of Lord in and for us!
So 2011 is my personal Year of the Cross of Jesus Christ. The message of the Cross may be foolishness or nonsense to some, but to me it is the power of God that saved and saves me. To the ones being tossed about on an angry sea of sin, despair, and questions, it may appear to be only flotsam or jetsam, but once they get a look at what they have wrapped their arms around (the Cross) they will find that they are holding on to one of the root instruments of Gods perfect plan! I can't help but see in my minds eye the realization that will sweep over anyone who takes hold of the Cross and they look up to see the invoice of their life debt flapping in the breeze!!! Free At Last, Free At Last, Thank God Almighty I Am Free At Last !!
Alright bringing it home now. Does anyone remember the cartoon He-Man! My kids were huge He-Man fans. One of his tag lines was to raise his sword and say, "I Have The Power!" Well I ain't no He-Man but I believe that I have the power in the Cross of Jesus. In 2011 lets get a good grip on the Cross and raise it high and say, "Here Is The Power!"
ROMANS 10:13-17
13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved .14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?15And how shall they preach , except they be sent ? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
God Bless You All and Here's To An Amazing "Year Of The Cross of Jesus Christ".** Note ** something happened to the linked text in this writing. The links are active but they are not the right color - sorry for any confusion.
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