#39 THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS 8-26-26
There was a shadow hanging over the earthly ministry of Jesus. It was the shadow of the cross. Jesus knew where His journey would end. He knew the rejection, the betrayal, the beating, the nails, and the darkness that awaited Him. Yet He kept walking toward Jerusalem. The cross was not an interruption of His mission. It was the purpose of His mission. “He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51).
THE SHADOW OF SACRIFICE
Jesus lived with the cross before Him. He knew that He had come into this world to give His life for sinners. “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). The cross reminds us that our salvation was not cheap. Our forgiveness came at the cost of the blood of Christ. He was willing to give what we could never earn and pay what we could never pay. “Christ also loved us and given Himself for us” (Ephesians 5:2).
THE SHADOW OF SUFFERING
The road to the cross was a road of suffering. Jesus was despised, rejected, betrayed, mocked, beaten, and crucified. Yet He did not turn back. “He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). Sometimes following Christ means walking through difficult places. Faith does not promise that we will never suffer. It promises that suffering does not have the final word. If our Savior could endure the cross for the joy set before Him, we can endure our trials with our eyes fixed upon Him (Hebrews 12:2).
THE SHADOW OF SALVATION
But the shadow of the cross also points us toward something glorious. Beyond Calvary was an empty tomb. Beyond the suffering was resurrection. Beyond death was victory. The cross became the place where mercy and justice met, where sin was confronted, and where redemption was accomplished. “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14).
We should never look at the cross merely as an instrument of death. We should see it as the doorway to life. The shadow of the cross reminds us what Christ was willing to endure, what our sin required, and what God’s love was willing to accomplish. So when the shadows of life grow long, look toward the cross. There you will find the sacrifice of Christ, the example of Christ, and the salvation found in Christ.
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Lord Jesus, help me never forget the cross. When I see Your sacrifice, make me grateful. When I face suffering, make me faithful. When I am discouraged, remind me of the salvation You purchased for me. Help me follow You beneath the shadow of the cross until I stand in the light of Your glory. Amen.
BDD
