Glory in the Cross

Hello TiMP Nation. I hope you are having a blessed and safe Sunday. I hope you enjoyed the “Are You Confused” Speaking in Tongues series. God willing, we will continue that series with a different topic needing clarity in the near future. But for this week we will redirect our attention. We are all aware of the tremendous tragedies of violence occurring all around the world. We are also still in the storm of an epic pandemic. Plus, the work of the enemy is in constant search mode. Yet as we prepare for another Resurrection Sunday in the coming week. My heart was reminded we should all the look to the Glory in the Cross!

Our teaching text for this week is found in Galatians 6:11-15 where Paul in his closing letter to the Galatians writes on this topic. Just a brief context around the book of Galatians. We likely think of the Galatians as a single church. However, it gets its name from Galatia a region of Asia Minor which today is Turkey and was made up of different cities. Thus, there were multiple churches in Galatia and Paul is addressing them all in this letter. He is particularly concerned about the old Jewish way of thinking. That one must meet or satisfy the expectations from the Old Testament Torah. One must fulfill the law (commandments), men must be circumcised, one must obey the sabbath and eat kosher (this is basically food that met the Jewish dietary custom). However, at the time of his writing Christianity had spread tremendously outside of Israel and thus many non-Jewish people were followers of the faith. However, traditional Jewish Christians who migrated to Galatia were basically causing conflict with the gospel of Jesus that had been established. Paul finds himself throughout chapters 1-5 addressing various topics, from defending the gospel, addressing the purpose of the law and that love fulfills the law. But in chapter 6 which is our focus he concludes his letter with why we should look to the cross.

One of the main things you recognize when reading this text starting at verse 11 is that Paul is specific in telling the churches he wrote this in his own hand. Also, that it was written in very large letters. I gather this was to stress the importance of the message he was trying to convey to the traditional Jewish Christians. Then in verse 12 he goes right at the Judaizers prideful intentions. Their whole goal with adhering to the law and circumcision and the Messianic customs were to please their flesh. Even so, not to upset the normal discourse so they could maintain their financial and social status. Paul knew they were without a doubt more concerned for their personal well-being and public opinion, than allowing themselves to be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Verse 13 he goes on to say even those who are so called keepers of the law, don’t keep the law. Yet, they would actively work to convert Gentiles to the law just so they could boast and brag to receive glory from men. Paul then in verse 14 clearly notes that he nor any of us have a right to boast or brag about anything unless we are boasting and bragging about the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross. He then says, it is by Christ that the world has been crucified to him and he to the world. Romans 6:10-11 explains this best, Jesus died once to break the power of sin and through His resurrection not only does He live but it’s for the glory of God. So, if you are a born-again believer in Christ Jesus you should be dead to the powers of this sinful world and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

Paul then closes out this text in verse 15 by saying it really doesn’t matter whether you are circumcised (Jewish traditionalist) or uncircumcised (Gentile). To break this down a bit further, God did not intend for the redemption of salvation to only be for Israel. God from the very beginning intended this gift at the cross for all who believe no matter your culture or ethnic background (John 3:16). If you have not believed and understood the sacrifice and eternal life offered at the cross; to become a new creation before God the Father through Christ Jesus; then nothing you do will amount to anything. I will leave you all this week with my visual depiction of how I see the Glory in the Cross of Jesus. The top or head of the cross points to the heavens for its source is God. The horizontal flank on the cross stretches wide just like God’s love. The cross points in all directions, signifying to every corner of the earth that Jesus Christ is Lord. The cross is a perfect picture of Jesus Christ who is the Father’s glory.

There was a song I grew up hearing as a child and I still recall to this day. “At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light and the burdens of me heart rolled away. It was there by faith I received my sight and now I am happy all the day”. We must recognize that the cross is not the end, but only the beginning. That although we hold what happened on the cross in highest regard as it is fundamental to our faith as believers. Our desire should be beyond the cross for the cross itself is nothing. Our desire should be on those things above (Read Colossians 3:1-4). Our desire should be eternal life through Jesus Christ which His love and sacrifice at the cross affords us the opportunity, because at the cross there was Victory! Glory be to God!