The Risen Lord 

   “For Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power and wisdom of God.” (1 Cor 1: 22 – 24) 

   Before we can proclaim Christ risen and ascended into heaven, we must proclaim Christ crucified.  There is no resurrection without the crucifixion.

   I look upon the crucifix and I see the expression of total love and mercy hanging there in pain and agony.  Many look at an empty cross and talk of the resurrection.  I too contemplate the miracle of the resurrection, but without Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross He could not have risen from the dead.  In my mind its so very important to recognize His sacrifices rather than push them aside by removing Him from the cross.

   “But he was pierced for our sins, crushed by our inequity.  He bore the punishment that makes us whole, by his wounds we were healed.” (Isaiah 53: 5).  The prophet Isaiah lived 700 years before Christ and yet foresaw the importance of His suffering and death in God’s plan of salvation. 

   It’s hard to admit that it was for our sins and our inequities that He suffered and died.  Perhaps that’s why some prefer to focus only on the resurrection, reflecting on an empty cross rather than the incredible sacrifices He made for our redemption.

   When I contemplate the crucifix and all it means, I am humbled by the depth of the love our Lord has for me.  What is even more humbling is the fact that He would have suffered as He did even if I were the only who needed His mercy and redemption.