February 10, 2020 (Monday)
Yesterday’s blog, “Once for All,” emphasized the meaning of Atonement. We were reminded of the efficacy of the Cross of Christ. Paul’s explanation of the meaning of the Cross was expressed magnificently in a letter to the Corinthians, “ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV).
At the conclusion of his hours on the Cross, Jesus cried, “It is finished!” What was finished? The eternal, majestic redemptive plan of almighty God. It was complete. There would be no more need of animal sacrifices to atone for sin, because Jesus died for us “once for all.” But that was not the end of the Redemptive Act–He must rise from the dead. That was inevitable because Jesus is God. Death could not hold Him. He conquered death by rising from the dead, ascending to His Father in Heaven, where He intercedes for His own children and invites whoever is willing to believe in Him as Savior and Lord to do so.
BENEATH THE CROSS OF JESUS
Words, Elizabeth Cecilia Clephane (1830-1869)
Music, Frederick Charles Maker (1844-1927)
1868
Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand
The shadow of a mighty rock
Within a weary land.
A home within the wilderness,
A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat,
And the burden of the day.
Upon that cross of Jesus
Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One
Who suffered there for me.
And from my stricken
Heart with tears,
Two wonders I confess,
The wonders of redeeming love
And my unworthiness.
I take, O cross, thy shadow
For my abiding place.
I ask no other sunshine than
The sunshine of His face.
Content to let the world go by,
To know no gain nor loss.
My sinful self my only shame,
My glory all the cross.