What the Cross Means to Me

When I think of what the cross means to me, I think of the iconic words of Frankie Beverly— joy and pain.

We sing songs about the joy we have.

This joy that I have the world didn’t give it to me, the world didn’t give it, and we boldly proclaim, the world can’t take it away.

But our joy caused him pain.

I get joy, joy thinking about what he’s done for me, I get joy just thinking about how he set me free. It’s in my hands, my feet I’m talking about what he’s done for me, I get joy, just thinking about what he’s done for me.

But our joy caused him pain.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let Earth receive her king. Let every heart prepare him room. Let heaven and nature sing.

But our joy cause him pain.

You give me joy down deep in my soul.

But my joy caused you pain.

I have joy instead of mourning.

But my joy caused you pain.

When we look at who Christ is to those who proclaim the banner of Christian, we recognize that Christ is the head of the body, the church:

He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead;

He has preeminence in all things .

For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; and peace was made through the blood of his cross.

It was Jesus on that cross that brought the peace of God to us all.

It was Jesus on the cross that gave us hope.

It was Jesus on the cross that gave us opportunity.

It was Jesus on the cross that gave us new life.

It was Jesus on the cross that gave us joy.

But our joy caused him pain.

The joy that comes from belonging to Christ should cause you to have encouragement for yourself and others.

Do like yourself more since you accepted him as Lord of your life? Or do you still get down on yourself and pick at your flaws and in turn make everyone around you miserable?

Is there any comfort from his love?

Do you treat other people better? Or are you impatient, filled with rage when they don’t do what you want, when you want, the way you want?

Is there any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate toward one another?

When you think of Jesus on that cross does it cause you to want to change, does it cause you to want to do things differently. Or are you still the same person you used to be?

The cross should bring about a change in your life, in your behavior, in your thinking.

When Jesus came to Earth, he came so we could see how we are to live, how we are to love one another and how we are to respond to the circumstances we sometimes have to face.

True joy comes by being able to agree with one other. But make sure what you agree on is pleasing to God.

True joy comes by loving one another and by working together with one mind and for one purpose. Telling the lost about the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross and bringing them into the Kingdom of God.

True joy comes by not being selfish or not trying to impress other people. We’re not here for that. Every thing we do, should be to make God happy. Trying to please man will cause you to mess up your life, it will cause you to lose who God created you to be, because it’s impossible to please people.

Be you, knowing that who you are is enough, and at the same time you’re no better than others. Don’t start trying to compare and categorize sin; because sin is sin.

But the good news is when Jesus died on the cross that sin was covered too, whatever that sin is.

You can live a life with joy, because of the pain Jesus endured on the cross.

You can live a life with joy, because of the pain he suffered being sold out by one of the twelve he brought into his inner circle.

You can live a life with joy, because of the pain he suffered by being betrayed with a kiss.

You can live a life with joy, because of the pain he suffered by being lied on.

You can live a life with joy, because of the pain he suffered by being falsely accused.

You can live a life with joy, because of the pain he suffered having to carry his own cross, even in his weakened state.

You can live a life with joy, because of the pain he suffered when for the first and only time he was separated from his Father.

You can live a life with joy, because of the pain he suffered being pierced in his side.

You can live a life with joy, because of the pain he suffered being left alone to bear the sins of the world.

When I think of the cross…I think of joy and pain.