Wednesday, April 20, 2011

The Cross–Good Friday Thoughts

cross2I am currently at my desk working on my Good Friday sermon. I am once again amazed at the depth of the cross. It seems so simple to say that Jesus died for my sins, and yet that statement goes so deep. I think about what a helpless state that I am in.

A good non-Christian friend once said to me “all religions are people climbing up different sides of the same mountain. They all end up in the same place.” This statement reminded me of the people of Israel in the dessert. At one point God was going to meet with Moses on a mountain. God told them “Don’t let them come near the mountain or they will die.” (paraphrase). That is how helpless we are. In our feeble attempt to create religions, so that we can climb a mountain and see God, we are not even able to come near the mountain!

Today I admit my helplessness. I fall at the cross as one, who in myself, has fallen dramatically short of what God wants, and expects of me. At this place I also receive incredible forgiveness, grace, and strength. This place is the great equalizer of all humanity. The CEO on wall street, the factory worker, African, European, Asian, and American, men and women; all need to fall and admit their helpless need for God’s grace; here at the cross. I have not lived one day when I have impressed God with my goodness, but I feel His love and grace everyday. All because of the price my redeemer paid for me. So today I pray again the prayer I prayed so many years ago:

Lord I am a sinner

Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins

I confess you as my Lord and Savior

Thank you for forgiving me

Amen