Our hope is in the Cross.  Not an ornamental cross that looks beautiful, but in a blood stained cross that held the body of our Savior.  Ornamental crosses do have their place as they help us to think of God and His righteousness, goodness, beauty and glory.  The blood stained cross reminds us of the cost paid for our sins, as part of the fallen world.

John 19:1-3 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.  The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head.  They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face.

Jesus was bloodied even before he was hung on the cross.  They beat him so severely he was unrecognizable.

Isaiah 52:14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him—his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness—

The ornamental cross shows we like to clean things up a bit.  Our hope is in the cross so we want it to be nice, if we are identifying with it.  This way other people will want to connect it with themselves.  Much like the car you drive.  You pick one so when you are driving down the street or getting out of it at the grocery store, people will look and wave and maybe wish they were as lucky as you.

I don’t want to remember the cross as nice so I will be liked.  I want the cross bloodied so I will remember who paid the ultimate price paid for my sins.  While we might like a car due to its looks, when we get closer and see the price tag we back away.  We liked the car but we are not willing to pay that price for it.

Matthew 20:18-19  “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”

The bloodied cross reminds us the price Christ paid, helping us to be willing to pay a higher price to be recognized as a Christian.

Written and posted by Joyce E Poggensee

Verses referenced: John 19:1-3, Isaiah 52:14, Matthew 20:18-19