An Encounter with the Cross of Jesus

I have been thinking about it for almost 24 hours and I can't get it out of my head!

I was wrong! (Yes, Rusty, I said it. I believe it and I typed it for the whole world to see! =) )

On my blog yesterday, I said, "The one from the cross, (there is no spiritual application with the cross here) started on my forehead." That is what I said, and I was wrong.

What on earth am I talking about? (You need to read yesterday's blog first.) I was talking about my propensity to get boo-boos- namely bruises and a concussion or two. One of my eventful injuries came during an Easter drama with a head on collision with the cross.

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Each year our church puts on an all-out living Easter Drama. My husband starts at the beginning of time, in the Garden of Eden, and weaves the thread of redemption all the way to the life and times of Jesus. With a cast of 100 or so people, we portray those events all the way to the ascension of our Lord! Of course the most moving scenes are the crucifixion and the resurrection!

As the production has grown, I have helped "direct" from the back, staying in the foyer to assist with whatever I need. That particular year everyone was having a hard time continuing their loud shouts of "Crucify Him!! Crucify Him!!" as they ran outside the building from one scene to the next. So, the good little director that I was, I would run outside at that point and stand in the parking lot yelling with them and prepping them for the next scene.

It was our last service and the sun was shining ever so brightly. As the last of the cast made their way into the foyer to murder our Jesus, I ran in behind them to listen for the cue for their climatic entry. What I wasn't prepared for was the blinding darkness after the glaring sunshine. I stumbled past the curtain with a frenzy because I felt our cue was quickly approaching. As my graceful feet lost their balance, my forehead suddenly had a massive encounter with wood.

Pain shot through my head, my ears rang, and stars appeared before my eyes. My insides suddenly felt as if they were going to burst out. I almost slumped to the ground. Everyone rushed to my side to make sure I was okay, and I was like, "I'm fine. I'm fine." Totally and completely embarrassed- but the cue! We all heard it, and out they went!

The purpose of this story is I had a physical encounter with the cross. I grown accustomed to the darkened condition of my surroundings. I could operate fine in them. I went outside to the brilliance of the shining sun. When I went back to my former darkened conditions, I came face to face with the cross. My flesh became bruised and bleeding on the inside.

Hmmmmmmm. Do you see where I am going? How cool is that? Who ever had an encounter with the cross, which symbolizes death to the flesh and life to the spirit, without a bruise?

When we meet Jesus at the cross, even unintentionally, it will not be pleasant for our flesh. Our sinful self wants to keep on with life the way it always has, but Jesus wants better for us. He wants to take us to that wonderful place of relationship with Him- a place of love, security, and everlasting love.

Okay, now don't go misinterpreting saying that I said Jesus wants to give us a black eye. :) We can only take this little analogy so far, but it is something to think about.

So, my prayer for you today is that you have an encounter with the Cross of Jesus. I pray you die to your self and live in Christ Jesus. I pray that your relationship with Jesus continues to grow and grow so that when people see you - they then have an encounter with the cross, because your light has shined so brightly in their hearts, their darkened familiarity becomes a place to stumble upon the Truth!

If you would like some good fiction to read that points you to the Cross, try Tedd Dekker's trilogy- Black; Red; and White. He masterfully spins a fantasy/thriller that all points to redemption.

Have a wonderful day in Jesus!

dorinda

(If you are new to my site, check out my list of favorite posts on the side. AND my husband's blog has some wonderful devotions and teaching! He is awesome!)