The Cross
At the heart of faith in Jesus is the cross. Some people may find this odd or even offensive because the cross is where Jesus died. But that's only part of the story---the cross is where Jesus died for our sins, because of His love. In His sacrifice there is hope. Take time to read these verses about the cross. (All verses from the ESV except where noted.)
"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." ~1 Corinthians 1:18
"But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." ~Galatians 6:14
"For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." ~Colossians 1:19-20
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." ~Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
"He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." ~1 Peter 2:24 (NRSV)
~*Check out these final verses...*~
" Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." ~Philippians 2:5-11
~*Be thankful for Jesus. Be thankful for the cross.*~
