The Empty Cross
Recently I had the privilege of hearing the testimony of a gentleman from Cork with an amazing story of how God found him along with a beautiful accent as he told it! He had been brought up a Catholic and the guilt of his sins was lying very heavily on him. He was so struck by all the Catholic crosses that were surrounding him with the image of Jesus suffering on them. He was so burdened by his sins that had led Jesus to die for him.
He kept trying to earn his salvation. Then he read this passage in the book of Romans 3:21-24
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in[a] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
He was hit suddenly with the empty cross. Jesus is not on the cross anymore. He has paid for our sins and is now risen from the dead and with God in heaven.
Our sins are forgiven – we cannot earn our salvation, it is a free gift from God, open to all!
This message of salvation is a thread that weaves though the Old Testament and is completed by Jesus’ death on the cross and his resurrection from death.
The Carrubbers statement of faith highlights this verse in Eph2:8-9 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. The statement completely ties in with what was blowing this man’s mind and that makes no sense in worldly terms.
As we get on with the tasks God has given us this week, let us remember this amazing salvation we have which is a free gift from God. Let us always be mindful of the opportunities to share this free gift with those around us. And let us remember to live lives free of guilt and full of gratitude to the one who saved us.
Please pray
- For opportunities for each of us to share our faith with others.
- For the O’Brien family – for relief and rest for Kieron, wisdom for the doctors and comfort for the family.
- For the Logos welcome ceilidh, which is this Saturday evening at Carrubbers.
- For new students in Edinburgh to find a church and settle into it quickly.
