Crosswords

Our CONNECT groups at church are looking at the 7 words that Jesus spoke from the cross: crosswords. Most church folks have heard these phrases preached before. I am trying to look at each of these words that he spoke and reflect on what they mean to me. I am also reading the four gospels in the New Testament this year paying special attention to the words in red which are ones that Jesus spoke personally. Why?

I figure if Jesus said it, it must be important. If anything matters to him it should also matter to me. So when I read these words from the cross, words that he spoke in the most trying time of his life on earth, I am attempting to find a personal meaning for me out of each of them. One of the couples in last nights meeting brought up the thought that we prepare ourselves every year for Christmas, the birth of Christ, by decorating our homes and by paying great attention to the season. Lots of activity goes into getting ready for Christmas. But for Easter, there seems to be more attention to chocolate bunnies and eggs than the central points to focus on as a follower of Christ: the cross and a resurrected Savior of the world! Should not this season be even more important and more celebrated?

I want to draw closer to Christ this season because he endured so much to draw closer to me. All he wants is a relationship with you and me. So I pray, I read and I meditate on the things he said, the way he taught and the words that he uttered while people were taking his life from him. Yes, it makes me sad. Sometimes I even get angry. But then I remember what happened after the cross...how he defeated death and hell and is right now praying for you and me and all that we are doing. He has a plan for us...a plan made possible because of the cross. Let's prepare ourselves for his resurrection celebration! #crosswords #7words