“The cross is not for the new man; it’s for the old man.”
I read this on the book, Dreaming with God, and it keep coming back up over this Easter holiday. The CROSS is for the OLD man, the man I used to be without Christ. The way I used to live for my own desires and dreams. The way I was so easily tempted by sin. The NEW man, that is who I am now, that is Jesus CONQURING the grave. That is him defeating Satan and nothing can hold him back. Nothing can hold us back. That is him rising from death, restoring us to be able to reach our full potential.
We watched The Passion of Christ on Easter. The PASSION of Christ. I haven’t watched this since it came out in theaters and I thought wouldn’t watch it again. I noticed so much more this time because I would actually watch it. By this I mean last time I was ducking my head, hiding in my hands, and in my tears. This time watching it worship songs started coming into my head. To response to what Jesus did for us, for me.
A thought that came to me was how easy it is to say that we would die for someone we love, but is it true? If it really came down to it, would I be able to do it? He was beaten to the point where we was unnoticeable. The movie does it justice. This time I saw how bold Jesus was. How he never said a word at all the people mocking him, spitting in his face, beating him, testing him. Not a single sound, not a single expression on his face. Nothing. He knew what he had to do. He didn’t need man’s approval, He didn’t need to prove himself, he wasn’t scared. That is a man worthy to be praised. He died for all…everyone . . . me . . . you . . . EVERYONE … without even knowing us. Sometimes I think we forget the simple obedience he walked in that would have been the hardest thing to do. He lived in order to die…for us.
The body of Christ broken for you.
His blood shed on your behalf.
Even thought it is hard to watch the movie, this time I saw something completely different than last time. And I believe that is how God works. He is always teaching us something new about things we thought we already think we know. He continues to draw us closer in, to possibly understand him more. Because at the point when we think we have it all figured out, he continues to show us how magnificent he is. He continues to place me in awe.
“But he was pierced “I pray that out of His glorious riches he may strengthen you with
For our transgressions, power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell
He was crushed for our iniquities; in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and
The punishment that brought us peace established in love, may have the power, together with all the saints
Was upon him, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of
And by his wounds Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you
We are healed.” may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
– Isaiah 52:5 – Ephesians 3:16-19
