The Power of the Cross

As Good Friday approaches, I sit contemplating the love of this God who would give up everything for my salvation. When I do this, I am strongly confronted by the odd, yet undeniable power of the cross. This is a power sadly missed by many Christians who prefer to skip past the reality of Good Friday and go directly to the joy of Resurrection Sunday. Yet, without the death that occurred on Friday, there is no Sunday morning joy.

The drawing power that hooks us into the heart of God comes strangely from the cross, more so than any other expression of who God is. Jesus said, “’But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.’ He said this to show the kind of death He was going to die.” (John 12:32-33) It is this gruesome sight, rather than that of resurrection glory, that draws us in forever to the fellowship of love available through Jesus.

Let me clarify in this discussion that the resurrection is absolutely necessary to complete the picture of who God is and what He has done for us. If the cross is truly the end, then while Jesus may have been an amazingly righteous man, He was not and therefore, is not the Messiah that He claimed to be. But He was raised, and His resurrection makes Him God and imparts to us the power of new life through Him.

Yet the fact remains that it is the cross that separates Jesus and Christianity from all other gods and religions. Unprecedented power should be expected of anyone claiming to be God. A god, no matter what name you give it, should be able to form planets with its bare hands, raise dead people, and heal any disease. A god should also be able to perform or restrain natural phenomena at its will. As great as these things may be, history has proven that such miracles are quickly forgotten.

But only our God, being all of that, looked upon His people with love and mercy so great, that He would surrender His divine power to come to earth and die this horrendous death so that we can be with Him forever. The fact that He is all powerful, all knowing, and completely sovereign over all, yet would stoop so low to wrap us in His arms; this is the wonder of the cross. This is the power that draws me to His side and will never let me go.