THE CROSS

So what was the meaning of the Cross, really? They are many aspects of the cross but here I will highlight just three. In relation to the world, the Cross is a reconciliation. The New Teatament puts it this way- God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. There is a very deep spiritual truth in this aspect of the cross.However in this regard, all the enmity and hatred were on mans side so God had to descend Himself to remove the hostility. In relation to sinners, the cross is an atonement. The soul that sins- it shall die so atonement must be made. And in relation to God the Cross is a sacrifice.Redemption took place in Calvary so a life had to be sacrificed to pacify God's judgment. On Judgment Day the Penalty would be serious for those who reject God and His mercy. Its tantamount to trampling underfoot the the agonizing death of  the  Ultimate Sacrifice. There is no way out except by way of the Cross.This is no laughing matter.

" Woe unto you who laugh now, you will weep later"

HAVING AN OPEN EAR

They found Him in the  Temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening  to them and asking them questions. Luke 2:46

As a young boy Jesus did not attend Sunday School . When Jesus was 12 He went with  His parents to Jerusalem  for the Feast of the Passover. Only on the way  back did they realize that Jesus was missing so they had to turned back and found him sitting in the temple.He was both listening and asking them questions.

 Jesus had the heart  that was open  to God- the Greatest Teacher in the universe. Centuries earlier Isaiah the prophet wrote about Him-as Jehovah's Servant: The Lord God... awakens Me morning by morning. He awakens my ear to hear the learned.The Lord God has opened my ear. In the humanity of Jesus, He was open to learn from the Father.

That is an attitude that all believers should possess- whether in church or  when out there wherever we are.