Out of the Backseat
We don’t like to think about the details of the Cross of Christ, much less see a depiction of it. But as Christians, we’re called to be Cross-focused. Not just on a piece of wood. But on a historical event. That event is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ – God in the flesh. And that event is the reason we can experience peace with God and each other through Christ.
The other night we talked at Teleios about how Christ destroyed the Law as He hung on the Cross. Ephesians 2:14 – 15 says that Christ “destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing in His flesh the law with its commandments and regulations…” As we read further we see that this happened as He hung on the Cross.
We also talked about the two walls that Paul was speaking of in this passage. First, it was a wall that represented the separation between God and humanity because of our sinfulness. Second, the Law was a wall that separated Jews and Gentiles. But the wall is destroyed now. Jesus’ death took a wrecking ball to the wall. In fact, this passage tells us that God united Jews and Gentiles into one new Creation in Christ! No more walls between us. As for the wall between humanity and God… it was destroyed at the Cross. Verse 16 says that Jesus made peace for all of us with God.
The result of this central event in history? Peace. Peace between Jews and Gentiles in Christ. And peace for humanity as we trust in Christ’s sacrifice for our sins.
But there’s not a lot of peace today is there? Christians fight with other Christians. We resurrect walls in between us all the time. And what about peace with God? Christians spend so much time reading Christian books trying to find a secret key that will help them “feel peace.” We spend wasted time feeling too ashamed to draw near to God… too afraid to trust Him… too judgmental of ourselves to fall in love with Him. Maybe the problem is that we’ve taken our eyes off of the Cross. Perhaps we’ve moved on to ‘bigger’ and ‘better’ things.Maybe we’ve put the Cross in the backseat of our walk with God. Meanwhile, we’re desperate for God to speak to us and calm the raging fears, anxieties and shame we feel. God’s heart must be that we would run back to the Cross and find that He’s pouring forth speech from it. Telling us of His love, peace, mercy, comfort, justice, compassion, will for our lives, purpose and grace!
Paul says it best for us in 1 Corinthians 2:2: “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” Bam. There it is. The Gospel in a sentence… And if the Cross is at the heart of the Gospel, maybe it’s time we take it out of the backseat and place it front and center… where it belongs.
Your Thoughts
Do you struggle with guilt? Fear? Judging Yourself? Lack of certainty about how God feels towards you? How would focusing on the Cross change things?
What are the things that we tend to focus on instead of the Cross?
How can you take steps to take the Cross out of the backseat and place it in the center of our hearts and minds?
How do you think a “Cross focus” would change the way we relate with God? With others?
How are you growing to appreciate the Cross of Christ in new ways?
How important is it for us to be able to explain the Crucifixion to people who don’t know Jesus?
November 18th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
The video leaves me sitting here speechless, unable to truly grasp all that Christ did for me, and also how I would be able to so easily forget it. To truly be cross- centered would change me completely. To live constantly for HIM and aware of what he has done for me. I admit I am not in a cross centered place most of the time. I get swept away with the worries, and distractions of what is out there. I think for me to change and be cross- centered is, to like the song said, bring me to my knees, and lay my life down and realize there is no other reason for me to be here but for Christ.
November 18th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
The video is unthinkable. I can’t even begin to imagine all the pain that Jesus suffered for me. It puts me in shock. I often stuggle with trying to bear my own problems by myself, when I really should look to the cross and Jesus for peace, comfort, and wisdom. I think if I were to take Christ and the cross off the back burner and start looking to them, my attitude would change. I often don’t read my bible like I want to or skim over the parts I find boring. If I would just focous on reading it and thinking about how important it is and what Christ did for me, I think I would really enjoy it and absorbe it. I need to also work on letting God control my life and not me.
November 18th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
wow!!!!!! one of the things that takes me off the cross is deffintely ipod cell phone computer ext. But this kind of thing makes me stop and just think wow. thanjs for posting that nate.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
As we have just honored those who suffered and died for the freedoms we enjoy in our country, their sacrifice only lasts until the next war or threat. What Christ did on the cross once and for all sealed the freedom from a life dominated by sin and guilt forever. That Jesus had to die such a horrible and humiliating death on the cross, the worst form of punishment the Romans could devise, really penetrates my heart to the core. He didn’t die in vain, and anyone who chooses can receive this freedom and new life.
I pray I never take for granted the sacrifice that was given for me and all of mankind.
If I focus on the cross, then this will affect the way I look at others. I will see that every other person I have contact with is loved and cherished by the God that created the world. If God loves them enough to send his son to die for them like he did, how can I do anything less?
November 19th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
This video is so amazing in so many different ways. It really makes me realize that God want more then anything in the world to be with me and take my burdens. Mostly i feel bad just keep giving him my problems and right when he finishes that another thing come up, and when i watch this it makes me realize it delights him to take it. I also struggle with judging myself and listening to much to what other people say about me. I think if i really focused on the cross i would have no worries about what other people think and just listen to what he says about me.
November 20th, 2009 at 7:37 am
That video was amazing. Its so wonderful and so sad all at the same time. To think that Christ would sacrifice His perfect self for a bunch of sinners. There are a lot of things that distract me from the Word and the cross. Now I hope that I will never forget what He did for me. And that I would be more cross focused.
November 20th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
The other night as I was praying I had a strong sense of Gods grace. I started crying out to God and asking God that he would give me a place in heaven where I can daily bow down before Him and give Him thanks.I know I am undeserving of Gods grace and sacrifice yet He pours it out anyway. I know I can never repay God for His sacrifice, but I can bow down before him in praise and thanksgiving. It’s hard to imagine God watching us on earth and seeing His children turn their backs on Him daily after what he did for us. The Lord is so gracious.
November 20th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
wow!!!! Like this is my first time looking at a blog and i am left speechless. I am just left thinkin how much the lord would give just to keep us alive. And how he would not even second guess to give his life away for us!!!!!!!!! Also the beating he would take jus to keep me and you on this earth. This is why you should become close to god because he would never forsake you he will always be waiting for you at the door. All’s you have to do is knock………….
November 21st, 2009 at 9:43 pm
wow i am sitting here in aww of that video…i am just speechless! it makes me rethink all the pain that Jesus suffered for us and that i can sacrifice something so little and compare it to what Jesus has done for us, your sacrifice isnt’t so big and “sacrificial” anymore..
November 28th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
i cried during this video it made me hurt for Jesus i love him too much.
i felt paralized by watching the pain of our savior. It was a stabbing of emotion i felt it hurt to see him die. l picture two pieces of wood broken then together again.
Jesus is our lord and savior. though the human flesh feels pain because of our sin. But true love sometimes fills pain. I learned alot from this video.