Month: March 2022

The Kitchen Table

“The Cross”

Day 9

When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.                  1 Peter 2:23

A cross without a sacrifice is just a cross but Jesus hung on a cross meant for us to give the eternal love and life of God to us.  The only way to hang on a cross is with love, in love, and for love.  Jesus showed us how without uttering a threat or judging His captors.  He did it all just living in God’s passion by God’s power for God’s purposes.  Again, it’s a choice and it was Jesus’ choice for you and me.  If you’re going to take up a cross, do it loving, not loathing.  Jesus showed us how.

The Kitchen Table

“The Cross”

Day 8

When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. ² 1 Peter 2:23-24

A cross without a cause is just a consequence of bad behavior.  There was no bad behavior on the cross Jesus hung on for you and me.  A cross with a cause is a choice made from love.  It takes suffering for there to be a straightening and that’s what Jesus did for us.  In love, He suffered for us that we might be straightened out for Him.  Jesus is our example.  He told us that we too would have to take up a cross in this crooked ad confused world.  It’s love that determines the cause or consequence of a cross.  Loving God and others will make it a choice, loving self will make it a consequence.

The Kitchen Table

“The Cross”

Day 7

He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth

1 Peter 2:22

A cross without a body is just a cross and a cross of punishment is a whole different thing than a cross of passion.  Jesus hung on that cross for our sin out of a passion for us to receive the punishment due us.  He was and is perfect and we were not.  Yet because He took our place on that tree for our sin, we are forgiven.  There was punishment on that cross but not for His sin but for our sin.  That’s how suffering and sacrifices work.  We accept the punishment so that others can experience the passion.  It’s not about enabling others to sin but enabling others to leave sinful lives.  Jesus showed us the way.  It’s something we do because it’s something He did for us.

The Kitchen Table

Day 6

“The Cross”

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps                      1 Peter 2:21

A cross has a cause, a purpose.  And from a cross Jesus called us to live for something worth dying for.  A world seduced and sabotaged by sin needs someone to suffer for what is good and right and true in love.  When we take up a cross, we take up a cause that we are willing to suffer and die for in this life.  When we take up a cross, we pick up the cause of heaven in and through our hearts, our homes, and in humanity.  Jesus called us from the cross to take up a cross that’s bigger than ourselves.

The Kitchen Table

Day 5

“The Cross”

“and He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”            1 Peter 2:24

A cross without a sacrifice is just a cross.  This cross wasn’t empty.  Jesus put Himself on that cross to pay for our sins that we could live.  That’s what love does.  Love takes up a cross and dies there for another.  Love works and love wins.  Love forgives, frees, and fills with hope.  Remember that is what Jesus did and that is what we do too.  Love goes there on its own for another.  Love has bigger fish to fry and a larger life to live.  It’s all made possible by the love and life laid down for us by Jesus.

The Kitchen Table

“The Cross”

Day 4

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”            1 Peter 2:24

A cross without a sacrifice is just a cross.  But on this cross hung the Christ, Jesus, the Son of God who was without sin and without blame.  Jesus hung on that cross and died by choice, not consequence.  He placed Himself up there because of love.  That sort of sacrifice delivers power, the power to die to sin, and the power to live over sin, sickness, and Satan.  That sacrifice gives those who believe the power to live healed, not hurt.  Believe it!

The Kitchen Table

“The Cross”

Day 3

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24

Sacrifices are made so that something might be had.  We make sacrifices for those we love so that they might have what they need or want.  Jesus gave His life and died that death so that we might receive not only the promise of life but the power to live life.  Jesus removed the barrier to love, life, and living by making the sacrifice we needed to have what He wanted for us.  The power to live and have life is now ours through His sacrifice for us.  Don’t believe you can’t because He says you now can.  Believe in the power of the sacrifice on the cross.

The Kitchen Table

“The Cross”

Day 2

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”            1 Peter 2:24

A cross without a sacrifice is just a piece of wood.  But on that day, on that cross, hung the Christ and on Him hung all the sin of all men for all time, even those not yet born.   He took His love and our sin to that cross for us and paid the price of our disbelief and disobedience.  And being unblemished by any kind of sin, He paid the price for all our sin and for our forgiveness and freedom forever for anyone who would believe in Him and what He did on that day on that cross.  That cross wasn’t empty, and that death was not meaningless.  Thank You Jesus for forgiving me!

The Kitchen Table

“The Cross”

Day 1

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”            1 Peter 2:24

There’s a piece of wood that stands in a moment of time at a place of death where heaven and hell met and life was changed forever.  That piece of wood was a cross where Christ died for all our wrongs so that we could have all that is right.  On that cross hung His body for our bad so that we could know His good.  Here’s the thing, a cross without a sacrifice is powerless.  It’s not the cross but the Christ that hung on that cross that makes it meaningful.  It’s this one image that should form our minds and memories for eternity.

The Kitchen Table

Day 50

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:24-25

What we believe in determines what we believe for in this life.  It’s powerful!  Let your faith change not only your feelings but the feelings of others.  Let what you see and say shape what others see and say because faith in God has the power to do just that.  Let your faith inspire others to live in the love of God today.