Saturday, April 7, 2012

The Call of the Cross


We believe that the history of the world is but the history of His influence and that the center of the whole universe is the cross of Calvary. ~Alexander Maclaren

It was almost more than this woman could bear, this woman who birthed the Holy Child.   The pain in its intensity allowed no room for tears, just  groans pushed from her breaking heart.  How can a mother watch her child suffer without suffering herself?



As she opened her eyes, gazing upward, it was there--the cross, rising high above it all.  Above the soldiers' bickering over the Crucified's clothing, above the followers of Jesus who believe He is the Son of God, above the thieves hanging on their own crosses.  Above this woman called Mother, yes, the cross rose high above it all.

Last evening I watched young people, fresh from studying Greek, Methods of Teaching and Theology, perform "Behold the Lamb."  They led me once again to the cross.  I scribbled furiously in the dark, as I witnessed the scenes unfold.   My pen danced in time with the palms waving in praise as Jesus entered Jerusalem.  It slowed in shame as Judas, chosen by Jesus to be His disciple, betrayed his Lord.  And then, the cross!  Hundreds of years after Mary watched her Son die, another woman stilled her pen, gazing upward to look at the cross.



The things of earth call--the noise of constant chatter, the daily activities of living, the dismay of heartaches--and yet still, the cross rises high above it all.  Somewhere amid the journey to Calvary, the pounding of the nails, the pressing of the thorns, the Sacrifice is made.  In those hallowed moments--when the sky darkens, when the veil of the temple is torn from top to bottom, when God Himself turns His back on the sin His Son died for, that cross becomes the symbol of the sacrifice.


It is our responsibility to raise that cross for others.  Our Savior promised, And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.  That cross pierces the darkness, calling us to a holy walk with Him.  I hear the call while preparing for Resurrection Sunday.  The writer of Leviticus first recorded God's convicting words, Be ye holy as I am holy.   Peter quoted the words in his book:  Because it is written, Be ye holy as I am holy.


In the imperfections of Peter I see hope.  Hope that amid my impetuousness, amid the careless betrayals my actions sometimes speak, amid the failure in allowing sleep to overtake the call for prayer, that I can claim that holy walk calling to me.  The call of the cross rises high! 



 

16 comments:

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hello Pamela,
Wonderful post! Praise the Lord; He is Risen indeed! Wishing you and your family a very Happy Easter.

Blessings,
Sandi

Anonymous said...

What a perfect Resurrection celebration post to start with tomorrow....God Bless and May His Presence be in full manifest for you and your family

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

Thank you, Pamela, for lifting our eyes up to the cross.

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

The Cross rises High, indeed! A blessing to read your words as we celebrate what God has done for us!

Happy Resurrection Day to you!
Thank you for sharing on Think on These Things!!!

joy said...

Very timely message. And we all need to look on God's holiness, an example for us to follow. but if we stumble, the cross reminds us also of God's forgiveness. What an awesome God we have:)

Sharon said...

A wonder-full Easter Sunday blessing to you and yours!

May you experience the joy of the Truth this Resurrection Day – that we serve the Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Praise His name for His gift of salvation, and for the hope and promise of eternal life.

GOD BLESS!

Esther Asbury said...

What a beautifully written reminder of what Easter is all about!
This line jumped out at me.... "It is our responsibility to raise that cross for others." Lord help me....

Ruth said...

It's hard to imagine what Mary felt and experienced as she watched her son approach death and then die. But she was there. And Christ in his suffering provides a place for her with John. (I like that tenderness so much) I do imagine her joy in seeing him after the resurrection. I'm sure she told the story to many. I want others to know, also. May I be bold in raising him up, at the cross.

Laurie said...

The message of the cross and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus is the center of our faith - thank you for sharing this!

Joe Pote said...

Yes! "The call of the cross rises high!"

Our Redeemer Lives!

Beth said...

Beautiful and inspiring words, Pamela. Thanks so much for this great reminder of our Savior's sacrifice and the cross we must carry as well. :)

calej said...

Hello this is my first time here and I hope not my last! It's really quite disheartening to put ourselves in Mary's shoes, all that pain she must have felt looking up at Jesus but it just reminds me that no suffering is ever wasted. The greater the pain, there must be a greater purpose for it in God's eyes!

Anonymous said...

great post...yes...to lift the cross...live in a way where people are drawn....blessings~

Tereasa said...

I love this post. It reminds me of the claim in Exodus, after the Isrealites first battle, "The Lord is our Banner!" Yes, let's lift him high and fight for the heart of our King!

Your blog is beautiful. Thank you for stopping by and commenting on my story. I hope to see you again!

Blessings.

Anonymous said...

Love the blog, your writing . . . and love being your "sister-of-the heart!" Janene

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

Beautiful post, Pamela. Thank you so much.

God bless,

Kathy M.