The Magnetism of the Cross

“But, when I am lifted up from the earth,
will draw all men to myself.”  John 12:32

The cross was God’s answer to the problem of human sin in that Jesus carried our sins in His own body on that tree (1 Peter 2:24).  The manner in which God opened the doors of His kingdom to us is utterly amazing.  He could have overpowered our stubborn resistance to His will by brute force, and could have crushed our rebellion more easily than a bulldozer demolishes an anthill.  Yet instead He chose to win us by His love. 

As He hung there on Calvary’s tree the Son of God demonstrated the depth of His love, and showed us that there was no length to which He would not go to draw us back into His glorious kingdom.  The way He chose was costly. 

Those who wonder what God is really like simply have to look at the cross.  The answer becomes clear:  He loves to that extent!  The cross reveals the nature of God and shows it to be vicarious suffering love.  It pierces the darkness of this 21st century with a beam of light that indicates:  “This is the way into the kingdom.”  It draws us— not drives us.  We are won to Him by a love that personally overcomes our antipathy, and overwhelms all our suspicion and distrust. 

What does the resurrection of Christ really mean in terms of the kingdom of God?  It is God’s seal of acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice made on our behalf on the cross. 

The cross is the only way into the kingdom of God.  When you kneel at the cross and surrender all that you have then your feet will be firmly planted on the solid rock of the kingdom that will never be shaken.  (see Colossians 1:13) 

Inspiration: 
The Cross of Christ.  Jesus was hung on a tree (cross) which is the Tree of Life.  The heart of salvation is the Cross of Christ. 

Technique: 

Ascension.  While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Lk. 24:51  After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. Acts 1:9 

Resurrection.  His appearance was like lightening, and his clothes were white as snow.  Matt. 28:3 

Crucifixion.  The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.  Acts 5:20  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” Gal. 3:13  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.  Rev. 2:7 

Transfiguration.  It is difficult to imagine how blood could make any cloth white, but the blood of Jesus Christ is the world’s greatest purifier because it removes the stain of sin.  White symbolizes sinless perfection or holiness, which can be given to people only by the death of the sinless Lamb of God on our behalf.  (see Rev. 7:14) 

Baptism.  When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too.  And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove.  And a voice came from heaven: You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”  Lk. 3:21-22 

Birth.  Conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. (see Matt. 1:18)