Mar. 10, 2014

John 19:18-20

That’s where they crucified him—and two others with him, one on each side and Jesus in the middle. Pilate had a public notice written and posted on the cross. It read “Jesus the Nazarene, the king of the Jews.”  Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city and it was written in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek.

I am a visual person. It is easier for me to learn something when I see it. Armed with a mental picture, I am more likely to remember. This is why I like tangible things to help people understand the Gospel. I respond to daily reminders I see and think others might also.

This is why I asked Rick to make some little crosses for the churches I serve. On the first Sunday of Lent, every family received a cross. On subsequent Sundays, another little item will be weekly added to the cross. Each symbol represents a part of the crucifixion story.

Last weekend, Rick finished making the crosses. I’d gone to bed as he finished assembling them. When I got up the next morning, they were neatly

arranged on the living floor. Rick knew the first place I’d go is to look at the crosses. They stood so proud, neatly lined up.

Each cross is unique and different. There are various kinds of wood. Rick used scrap lumber, so some pieces have writing, scratches or a little paint on them. While Rick used the same pattern for each cross, he intended for them to be unique and allowed little differences to exist.

For me, the cross is such an important part of the Christian faith. It’s where the rubber hits the road; where God represents the best of a divine God with the worst of  humanity. While we often think of just Jesus dying on the cross, all three persons of the Trinity were present. Father, Son and Holy Spirit experienced the agony and heartache of the most gruesome form of death imaginable.

For some people, the cross is just too hard to believe. How could a person die and come back to life? How does Jesus’ blood truly replace and represent our blood? For these answers, I must stutter. I cannot completely answer these questions. I simply choose to believe or not believe.

We have our little cross sitting on the coffee table. While it’s just a little cross, for me it is a daily reminder of what Lent signifies. I pray you can find a small symbol that represents Lent for you.

How can I ever express my complete gratitude for your willingness to take my place at the cross, Lord Jesus. It is nearly impossible for me to fathom what this really means. I pray that we can find symbolic items this Lent to help us broaden our understanding just a bit. Amen.Lent’s purpose for you. Put it in a visible place. Pause before it daily. Run your fingers over it and remember the entire Trinity dying on the cross for you.

Blessings –

Dianne

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