"Cheap Crosses"

 

“Cheap Crosses”

 

Most Christian churches have crosses inside and/or outside their buildings. Many of these are beautifully crafted and some even ornate. But what about the cross on which Jesus died for my sin and yours? Chances are it wasn’t made of fine wood a craftsman would have used to build furniture for a wealthy client but constructed from lumber which wasn’t suitable for anything attractive. Evangelist and hymn-writer George Bennard had it right when he entitled his great 1912 hymn “The Old Rugged Cross” (emphasis added).

Pastor and author Warren Wiersbe told of a missionary in Brazil who went to a religious festival where he saw a sign over a booth advertising “Cheap Crosses”. The wood from which these symbols were made may not have been valuable or the workmanship first class but they remind us of a great event of inestimable worth: the price our Savior paid on that “cheap cross” so that we might be forgiven and be sure of our eternal Home in Heaven. The wood may have been of poor quality but its impact, to quote a credit card commercial, is “Priceless”.

Years ago I heard a fellow pastor claim that a ministry was promoting a “smooth cross” approach to the Christian life. While I questioned his assessment of this ministry (and still do) I can see where he may have had a valid point. Jesus never promised a trouble-free life (“In this world you will have trouble.”—John 16:33, emphasis added) and neither did Paul (“…Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted….”—2 Timothy 3:12, emphasis added) so why should I expect it? In the words of the missionary cited above, “My Lord’s cross was not cheap. Why should mine be?”

Jesus paid the ultimate price for the sin of humanity when He “…became obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8). In light of this Paul pled with his readers (including 21^st century ones) to “…give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice…When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?” (Romans 12:1, NLT, emphasis added). Each of us must answer this question for ourselves—what will mine be?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan