The more I follow Jesus, the more I’m convinced that life is all about the cross. It’s central for Paul. In his polemic against the Judaizing circumcision group in Galatians, Paul’s argument centers around the cross. He writes, “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. (Gal. 3:1)” I’ve written before about the Call of the Cross. But the more I follow Him, that call becomes clearer. Jesus and the cross have to be normative for my life.

Tertullian, an early church leader and Christian apologist, wrote of the centrality of the cross:

At every forward step and movement,
at every going in and out,
when we put on our clothes and shoes,
when we bathe,
when we sit at table,
when we light the lamps,
on couch, on seat,
in all the ordinary actions of life,
we trace upon the forehead the sign [of the Cross].

John Stott writes:

There is then, it is safe to say, no Christianity without the cross. If the cross is not central to our religion, ours is not the religion of Jesus.

What do we learn from the Cross?

• The only way to life is through death.
• In the face of violence, Jesus turned the other cheek.
• Though he was beaten and bruised, he prayed for forgiveness.
• The punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
• Our God has gone to unfathomable lengths to reconcile us back to Himself.
• The cross isn’t reserved for Jesus. I must take up mine and follow Him.
• Love is greater than.
• Love is eternal.
• Love wins.

Jesus, teach me to take up my cross. May this be my heart’s true desire: to follow You, even unto death, my Lord.