#149 THE COST OF THE CROSS 9-17-26

There is no greater symbol of love than the cross of Christ. At Calvary, heaven’s love met earth’s sin, and mercy flowed from the wounds of the Savior. Jesus “bore our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24). He “was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification” (Romans 4:25). The cross was not an accident. It was the eternal purpose of God to redeem us through His Son (Acts 2:23; 1 Peter 1:18–20).

THE CROSS OF CHRIST

“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The cross tells us what sin costs, but it also tells us what love is willing to pay. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). Jesus did exactly that—and He did it for us.

THE COST OF COMMITMENT

The cross is not merely something we admire; it is something we must answer. “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). Following Jesus costs us something. It costs our pride, our selfishness, our allegiance to the world, and our determination to live life on our own terms.

Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). There is a death that must take place before there can be a truly Christ-centered life. We must “put off” the old man and “put on” the new man (Ephesians 4:22-24). We cannot cling to the world with one hand and sincerely follow Jesus with the other (1 John 2:15-17).

But what we surrender to Christ is nothing compared with what we gain in Christ. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).

THE CROWN OF CONQUEST

The Christian life is not just about surviving. Through Christ, we overcome. “This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4). The same Savior who carried the cross now gives strength to those who follow Him.

Paul could look back over a faithful life and say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). Then he looked forward: “There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:8).

The cross leads to commitment, and commitment leads to conquest. We may suffer. We may stumble. We may be misunderstood. But “thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).

The cross is where our Savior conquered sin. The commitment is where we follow Him. And the crown is where faithfulness finds its eternal reward.

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Father, thank You for the cross of Christ. Help us never to forget the price Jesus paid for our redemption. Give us courage to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him faithfully each day. Strengthen us when the road is difficult, keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus, and help us finish the race with faith. May our lives honor the One who loved us and gave Himself for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BDD