In Unexpected Ways!

July 6, 2011 [Monday],

Dear Fellow Travelers,

          The following is another quote from John Fischer’s book, “On a Hill too Far Away,” p. 141: “We can all come to the cross and be found out. There is nothing to fear, for death has been conquered and sin has been paid for. The only thing to be feared at the cross is loss of pride and position, and anyone who can’t afford to lose these would not be happy at the cross anyway. The present reality of the cross both breaks us and allows us to be broken. But in that brokenness, we discover more than what we could ever bargain for. We come expecting judgment and receive mercy; we come expecting death and receive life; we come expecting rejection and find acceptance; we come knowing we are dirty and receive cleansing for our sins. When the soldier pierced Jesus on the cross, he was surprised to find both blood and water flowing out of His wounded side. Both are necessary for us—the blood of death and the water of life.”

          This one thing is for certain: at the cross, we discover far more than we could have ever bargained for—far, far more. The problem lies in the fact that we will do anything to avoid the cross. It is just to bloody, too harsh, too much for us; yet, it is at the cross that we find mercy and acceptance and cleansing and forgiveness and freedom and life, yes LIFE.

          It is my prayer that the next time you visit the cross expecting judgment, you will RECEIVE mercy; that the next time you visit the cross expecting rejection, you will RECEIVE acceptance; that the next time you visit the cross expecting condemnation, you will RECEIVE forgiveness; that the next time you visit the cross expecting to be cast away, you will find yourself caught up in His arms of love and grace.

          When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died . . .     

This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent" (John 6:29 NASB).