What does the cross mean to your life?

No one wants to feel responsible for the suffering of Christ. Even though we know better, we still choose to think it was the fault of Judas, the Pharisees, and the Sadducees. The Roman soldiers were the one who beat him and nailed him to a cross, and they were following the commands of their leader. Real people accused, punished, and killed Jesus.

It’s difficult to think about the death of Christ and consider it necessary for our salvation. I used to reconcile the gruesome details of Jesus’ death by thinking that is what it took to cover all sins for all people. But, the truth is, Jesus died a gruesome death for my individual sins. He did the same for your sins.

Jesus carried the weight of our sins to Calvary. That weight is simply illustrated by the cross. When Jesus fell under the weight he carried, we are reminded that our sins cost him so much more than we want to think about.

Jesus modeled the burden of sin with every painful step to Calvary. Jesus provided that model because he wanted us to understand the magnitude of our sins and recognize how much they cost us. Jesus wanted us to “die to sin” and “live to righteousness.”

Jesus thought you and I were worth saving so he suffered the horrible consequences of the cross. Our eternal confidence is because of Jesus’ condemnation. Our eternal righteousness is because Jesus cleansed us from every wrong. We aren’t saved because we earned it; we are saved because Jesus bled and suffered so he could offer us his salvation.

“By his wounds you have been healed.”

Take a moment to approach the cross of Calvary. Close your eyes and imagine his suffering. Listen to the sounds, sense the pain, and imagine the separation Jesus felt from everything and everyone, especially his Father. Then meet his eyes and see him seeing you. He thought you were worth it that day, and he still does.

Jesus is the model for our own faith and the pathway for our eternal relationship with God. It is the pathway of eternal healing created because of his wounds. Look back at his cross with grateful humility and leave Calvary with full understanding. You are eternally healed because of his wounds.