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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Cross (as in the Cross of Christ) (08/17/06)
TOPIC CROSS

TITLE WHY WAS HE LIFTED UP?


Serpents, serpents everywhere, young and old alike were being bitten by those fiery serpents. Children cried in pain bitterly and parents were desperate unable to help themselves or their offspring. Eventually men and women cried out to God for mercy. A brazen serpent was made and put on a pole by Moses their leader. The message was loud and clear, “Look and live. There is life for a look at the brazen serpent.” Does this incident sound familiar to you? Was it a miracle or just fantasy?

Centuries later the Bible records that Nicodemus had a discourse with Jesus Christ. He wanted to know how to be born again. Jesus patiently explained to Nicodemus that as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up. John 3:14. NAS. Do you think Nicodemus understood what that meant?

A couple of years later, upon Golgotha’s hill, the Son of God, our Creator died a cursed death on the cruel cross. The old rugged cross was necessary in order to pay the price of our sin. The holy righteous God had made a way of salvation for us. John 3:16. “It is finished.” Was His final cry on the cross. All our transgression was nailed to the cross and our salvation was complete.

Have you ever pondered on this miracle of love and grace? It is unmerited favor bestowed upon us, all because of the cross at Calvary. The empty tomb proclaims that we have a risen Savior who lives victorious over sin, satan and death. It is now our duty to confess our sins and receive Him as Savior and Lord. We can live expectantly with preparedness of heart to see Him face to face.


Symbolic crosses of many sizes and shapes are seen on churches, cemeteries, Christian organizations and adorned as jewelry. Nearly two thousand years have passed since the Lord Jesus Christ suffered on the cross for our sins. But the message is the same, and will be till HE comes back to take us home to glory. Today the cross is a blessing to us who believe in Him. Like Paul the apostle let us glory in the cross of Christ Jesus our Lord more than any thing else on earth. Gal 6:14.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Jan Ackerson
08/27/06
You have lots of really good stuff here--I've read many entries this week, and you may be the only one who thought to use the Moses/serpents illustration.

My only suggestion would be to find fresher ways to make your point--this piece uses a lot of what I call "Christian-ese"--language very familiar to Christians (thus, we only skim it), and very foreign-sounding to non-Christians (thus they are just puzzled).

Your faith really shines through on this little essay!