March

There was once a little girl who wore a shiny cross on a chain around her neck. Since it was so pretty, it found a special place over her heart. Everything would have been fine except one day she was approached by a crabby man. The man said,

Young lady, I imagine you think Jesus died on a cross for you. If He did, and I’m not saying He did, I don’t think that cross was pretty like the one you’re wearing. It was an ugly wooden thing. I don’t think you should wear it as a piece of jewelry. After all, you wouldn’t wear a hangman’s noose or an electric chair around you neck, would you?

That little girl responded with respect: Yes sir, I do believe Jesus died for me on a cross. And I know His Cross would not have been as pretty as mine. But I also know, sir, what they told me in Sunday School. I know that it is true for me.

Well, what did they tell you in Sunday School? The girl replied, my teacher told me that whatever Jesus touches, He changes. I think that is true for this cross too! I know it’s true for me!

The grouchy man was absolutely right. The cross upon which Jesus died was not a pretty thing. It was rough and crude. It was designed to give torment to the one who hung upon it. Even though he was right about the horror of the cross, the little girl was also right. The death of Jesus transformed an ancient instrument of torture into God’s means and symbol for the salvation His Son won for all at such a high cost.

Yet it is not just the old rugged cross that has been changed by Jesus’ life, suffering and death. The power of his sacrifice transforms all who are called to believe on Him in faith. Christians, whose souls were once black with sin, are by Baptism made white as snow! We who were lost and without a family are—through the cleansing of Jesus’ Blood—found and adopted into God’s family of faith.

(An adapted sermon from the Lutheran hour)

Pastor David

 

         

revdavidnuss@aol.com