The world’s most famous execution, conducted by Rome, got out of human hands, changed the world, and is still healing human lives. The cross of Jesus emotionally undoes open human hearts and then fills them with forgiveness, restoration, and healing. Of the estimated 10,000+ people that the Romans crucified, crucifixion was outlawed in 337 to honor one — Jesus Christ.

Jesus on the cross is the demonstration that God’s costly forgiveness does what human merit can never accomplish. He turned a horribly cruel method of execution into a heart-transforming demonstration of love and mercy.

Every time we ignore the living Jesus, we choose to trust our merit rather than His mercy. The living Jesus can bridge the inner gap between your desire to be good and your inability to consistently be so.

Jesus didn’t die to be the figurehead of various religious organizations, but to be the living Head of all who dare to follow Him. Churches too often see Jesus as a consultant to the pastor rather than as the King of the congregation.

The Bible Pharisees saw Jesus’ crucifixion as the termination of a threat to their power. Instead it was the generation of supernatural life

When Christianity tries to detour around the cross, it loses its power. Trying to hide from our need for God’s mercy, depletes us (like a device without a charger).

If you’re unaware of the seriousness of your sin, you can’t truly understand grace. Like a flower standing in the destruction of a tornado, Jesus, hanging on the cross, shouts out hope!

Christianity is about reaching out to your enemies with love. That’s what Jesus did on the cross. We’re called to follow Him.

Thinking about Jesus on the cross reminds us of the horror of human cruelty and can soften the hardest heart. Here’s some ignored history: People Jesus died for were abused for the color of their God-given skin and the cross was made a symbol of hate.

Whoever insults, wrongs, or abuses a human being, insults, wrongs, or abuses the image of God. Bullying and/or cruelty to any human is anti-Christian and works against Jesus sacrifice on the cross.

The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus makes me marvel at the mystery of what happened in history and how He changes my heart. I’ve found the cross of Jesus and His living presence, to be the anecdote for the disfunction and evil within me.