Near the Cross

You would be hard pressed to find a Christian hymnal from any church that does not contain the words of a song written by Frances Jane Crosby, better known as Fanny Crosby.  She lived from 1820 -1915 and thanked God regularly for her blindness. In living a life totally blind, Fanny confessed that became to her a blessing for "seeing" things others could never see.  One line from her song, Near the Cross, probably explains this so we can better understand.  

“Near the cross! O Lamb of God,

Bring its scenes before me…”

As we enter the season when we are more mindful of the cross of Jesus and the events leading up to his death, perhaps the prayer of Ms. Crosby is one we should pray.  Our lives, devoted to Jesus, and recognizing his sacrifice on the cross, need to be closely aware of the "scenes" of that event. 

What scenes come to your mind when thinking of the cross?  Make no mistake about it, the visuals that flood our minds cannot be pretty. Execution by crucifixion wasn't supposed to be pretty. To add to the horror of the event, we realize this is the end of the earthly life of Jesus and the end of his ministry of  bringing hope and forgiveness to the people he personally touched. We can only imagine the pain he suffered, the humiliation he endured, and the loneliness he experienced. 

Some do not like to think of the soldiers actually driving the nails through Jesus' hands and feet. Others would like to forget about his crown of thorns, or the mocking crowds, or the gambling soldiers. We do not like the thought of the blood Jesus shed on that cross. Yet, a blind song writer from a previous century prays for those "scenes to be brought before me."

I want you to know today, the horrible nature of the cross can only be understood when we come to understand the horrible nature of sin.  In the event of Jesus dying on the cross, he was paying the price for the redemption of all mankind. It is his blood that washes us clean and makes us white as snow before God. In order for the justice of God and the righteousness of God to be upheld, we need a sacrifice adequate to meet those demands. Only the death of the sinless Jesus on the cross can meet our need. 

Other scenes of the cross can be brought before us. Because of Jesus' death for us, we have a scene of hope. Our sin pronounces for us the penalty of eternal condemnation, but Jesus takes our place for the punishment we deserve, and we have hope. We are no longer doomed to destruction because our sin debt has been paid by him. 

That person who comes to Jesus in faith and obedience, can see a scene of happiness when reflecting on the cross. The dismal outlook is changed to one of joy. Jesus makes the terrifying event of his death the most beautiful picture of love and forgiveness. 

"Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadows o’er me."

<ronbwriting@yahoo.com>