One bright early morning my wife's attention was drawn to the form of the cross standing out distinct and clear high up in the wild cherry tree in our back yard. It was a joyful sight and has been the cause of much praise and adoration each time we sit on our back patio and speak of the victories of the Cross. Since viewing this sign of the cross designed by God Himself in the foliage of the tree it reminded us that God has stamped the sign of the cross in many ways and upon many things in His creation. Many years ago I well remember my father finding a large spider with the symbol of a cross in white upon its back. Birds flying in the sky cast a shadow like that of a cross on the ground below as they fly between the sun and the earth. The white clouds above sometimes form into the symbol of a cross. Everyone who has ridden a plane has often looked down to see the shadow of the plane in the form of a cross upon the white clouds below or upon the earth. Even many of the telephone posts on the highway are in the form of a cross. Highway signs tell of the approach to crossroads in just the form of a cross. Last but not least is the stamp of a cross upon every man, woman and child. We cannot stand erect and stretch out our arms to each side without making the sign of a cross. Why has God brought the cross so prominently before our eyes in almost innumerable ways? Is it not that God would have all nien know the "Story of the Cross" upon which His only begotten Son died to save mankind from eternal doom? Saul of Tarsus, later named Paul the apostle of Jesus Christ, after his conversion wrote: "He loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20) He also wrote: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus Who gave Himself a ransom for all." (I Timothy 2:5,6) In Philippians 2:8 we read these amazing words: "And being found in fashion as a man, He (the Lord Jesus) humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross." It would have been impossible for a Holy and Righteous God to have offered salvation to sinful man apart from the death of Christ, for the Bible says: "God made Him to be sin for us, (He) Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (II Cor. 5:21) When my wife first called my attention to the cross in the tree it was with tear filled eyes we recalled the verse of a well-known and loved hymn: "Was it for crimes that l have done, He groaned upon the tree? Thank God we know Christ is not on the Cross now. Thank God He is not in the tomb but has risen again and has been exalted to God's nght hand and is a Prince and a Savior for all those who will confess Him as Savior and Lord. (Acts 5:31; Romans 10:9) I have known this Savior for over 52 years. Will you, dear reader, put your faith and trust in Him and know what it means to have "Peace with God" through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1) WARNING-"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting Life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see Life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36) 'Today if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts." (Heb 3:7,8) "Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come." (John 8:21) Be wise-trust Christ-and be saved. W. G. McCartney |