By Judy Villanueva

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.  And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. ..  Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

Do you remember the first time you heard the story of a man named Jesus who died on a cross?  Were you told of his deep love for you and the price he paid to save your life?  I remember as a kid watching The Greatest Story Ever Told and crying at the part where Jesus was crucified.  So young, I couldn’t have understood the magnitude of this scene, but I remember my little heart breaking for Jesus and sensing something powerful at work.  As Easter approaches, I feel the need to touch the most beautiful story ever told — ever lived.   I want to remember the cross  in living color so that my heart might be awakened from its stupor… so that I might drop to my knees in tears and utter amazement and feel the power of love pour over my life again!

The cross marks a turning point in human history, an unprecedented sacrifice that culminated in Heaven’s Son nailed to a wooden beam.  It wasn’t a divine whisper.  No! 

It was a shout, an earthquake, an avalanche of love that pierced God’s heart and spread itself out over all mankind.  

Can you feel it?  The King of kings took the rap for us, His creation.  He traded a royal crown for a thorny one and surrendered His life for ours.  How in touch are you with this gift?  I confess that I live mostly out of touch with the beauty and power of the cross.  How do I know this?  Because, whenever I do wake up and touch even the hem of this reality, I can feel it speak to my soul!  It immediately imparts a bright and broad perspective.  It fills me with bold hope and deep gratitude!  It’s more real than anything and nothing compares to it — no earthly enticement, no worry or fear.  

Too many Easters come and go with colored eggs and cute furry bunnies, but little notice or heart-connection to the astonishing reality of the cross, let alone the resurrection!  I admit it’s hard to live conscious of the cross 24-7, but I wonder what would happen if we tried to set it in the foreground of our days and let it bump into us!  Instead of a once-a-year experience, what if we took deliberate moments to remember when God shouted, “I love you” on Calvary! 

What if everything in our lives had to stand next to Christ on the cross — 

joys and sorrows, wins and losses, births and deaths, fears, failings, hopes and dreams.  I want to live in the shadow of the cross and at the opening of the empty tomb!  Don’t you?

 “Lord, I want to live awakened to the beauty and power of the cross.  Thank you for what you endured to save me.  It is finished and I am forever grateful.  Amen.” 

What about you?

Have you heard the greatest story ever told of a cross and man who loves you?

Where is the cross of Christ in your life?  Is it in the foreground, background or is it missing?

What IF everything in your life stood next to Christ on the cross?  Can you imagine how you would think and feel?

Take time to stand quietly before the cross.  Look.  Listen.  Receive.

Click here to buy Listening for Love Kindle Edition

Worship