Long before Jesus was born, the cross had been used as a means of torture and death. In 519 bc, for example, King Darius I of Persia crucified 3,000 enemies in Babylon. This type of execution was later used by the Romans for non-citizens and slaves.

When Jesus Christ took on our sins as He was executed (1 PET. 2:24), the cross took on a new meaning. There Jesus, “through his blood, shed on the cross”, made it possible for us to escape God’s judgement and become His own family (COL. 1:20-21).

Paul understood the importance of the cross. He had done many things that he could have been proud of (2 COR. 11:16-12:13). But in his letter to the Galatians he wrote, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (6:14). As we understand what Jesus did for us on the cross, we too will be amazed and humbled. Our small efforts are nothing; His work is everything!

Jesus invites all of us to come humbly to Him and trust Him. By believing that He died in our place on the cross, we receive God’s full forgiveness. Today, let’s praise Jesus for rescuing us!

By: Henry G. Bosch

To Pray About . . .

Thank You, Jesus, for dying that terrible death for me. Thank You for taking my place and making me part of God’s family forever.