Comments on: What Does the Cross Mean to Us? http://www.beenthinking.org/2009/04/09/what-does-the-cross-mean-to-you/ with Mart De Haan and Friends Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:50:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: William Tan http://www.beenthinking.org/2009/04/09/what-does-the-cross-mean-to-you/#comment-6850 William Tan Sat, 11 Apr 2009 05:23:53 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=5037#comment-6850 Song Thank You For The Cross Verse Thank you for the cross the mighty cross that God Himself should die for such as us And ev'ryday we're changed into your image more and more yes, by the cross we've truly been transformed Chorus And we're so amazed and we give You praise that You would save us at such a cost We're so amazed and we give You praise for the power of the cross for the power of the cross --------------------------------------- Song For All You've Done Verse 1 My Saviour, Redeemer lifted me from the miry clay Almighty, Forever I will never be the same cause You came near From the everlasting to the world we live the Father's only Son Chorus You Lived, and You Died You rose again on high You opened the way for the world to live again Hallelujah, for all You've done Hallelujah for all you've done Song
Thank You For The Cross
Verse
Thank you for the cross
the mighty cross
that God Himself should die for such as us
And ev’ryday we’re changed
into your image more and more
yes, by the cross
we’ve truly been transformed

Chorus
And we’re so amazed
and we give You praise
that You would save us at such a cost
We’re so amazed and we give You praise
for the power of the cross
for the power of the cross
—————————————
Song
For All You’ve Done
Verse 1
My Saviour, Redeemer
lifted me from the miry clay
Almighty, Forever
I will never be the same
cause You came near
From the everlasting
to the world we live
the Father’s only Son
Chorus
You Lived, and You Died
You rose again on high
You opened the way
for the world to live again
Hallelujah, for all You’ve done

Hallelujah
for all you’ve done

]]> By: kaliko88 http://www.beenthinking.org/2009/04/09/what-does-the-cross-mean-to-you/#comment-6849 kaliko88 Sat, 11 Apr 2009 04:40:21 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=5037#comment-6849 I was just going to leave a four word comment, but that will have to be the last sentence. Someone asked about the difference between the cross and the crucifix and how Catholics and other believers see it. I was raised Catholic for over 20 years. I left sometime in college because I just didn't fit anymore. It's still uncomfortable at times to go with family to church because of the things I see. But go to enough Catholic churches and you will find both crucifixes and empty crosses. Every design is different. For me, and many I know, it is simply, the cross. But it has not just a meaning, but a story attached to it, that I never can forget. Long ago at a youth retreat, I heard a priest tell a story of some young men he knew a long time ago. It was summer vacation and they were messing around, just wandering around town looking for things to do. As they passed the church, they came up with a joke to play. They would each go in and give weird and outlandish confessions. Needless to say they couldn't hide their snickers, but the priest waited until they left the church before coming out. When they saw him coming, two of them fled, but one for some reason stopped and turned to face him. The priest simply told him to come back inside the church. He walked right up to the altar and pointed at the cross. "You may think this is all a big joke, nothing to be taken seriously, but if that is how you feel, then you can stand here and point at that cross and say, "Jesus, you died on that cross for me, and I don't give a damn!" Well, the young man tried, and he couldn't finish the sentence. He realized he did care, a lot. It mattered. It mattered to him. Turns out that young man, was the priest telling the story. And I have never forgotten it. I remember it every time I look at one, of whatever shape, size, design. It matters. It matters to me. Love is a cross. I was just going to leave a four word comment, but that will have to be the last sentence. Someone asked about the difference between the cross and the crucifix and how Catholics and other believers see it.

I was raised Catholic for over 20 years. I left sometime in college because I just didn’t fit anymore. It’s still uncomfortable at times to go with family to church because of the things I see. But go to enough Catholic churches and you will find both crucifixes and empty crosses. Every design is different. For me, and many I know, it is simply, the cross. But it has not just a meaning, but a story attached to it, that I never can forget.

Long ago at a youth retreat, I heard a priest tell a story of some young men he knew a long time ago. It was summer vacation and they were messing around, just wandering around town looking for things to do. As they passed the church, they came up with a joke to play. They would each go in and give weird and outlandish confessions. Needless to say they couldn’t hide their snickers, but the priest waited until they left the church before coming out.

When they saw him coming, two of them fled, but one for some reason stopped and turned to face him. The priest simply told him to come back inside the church. He walked right up to the altar and pointed at the cross. “You may think this is all a big joke, nothing to be taken seriously, but if that is how you feel, then you can stand here and point at that cross and say, “Jesus, you died on that cross for me, and I don’t give a damn!”

Well, the young man tried, and he couldn’t finish the sentence. He realized he did care, a lot. It mattered. It mattered to him. Turns out that young man, was the priest telling the story. And I have never forgotten it. I remember it every time I look at one, of whatever shape, size, design. It matters. It matters to me.

Love is a cross.

]]> By: poohpity http://www.beenthinking.org/2009/04/09/what-does-the-cross-mean-to-you/#comment-6848 poohpity Fri, 10 Apr 2009 23:25:23 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=5037#comment-6848 In fulfillment of scripture not one bone in His body was broken, we do however break bread in remembrance of His body given for us and the cup is a sign of the new covenant of forgiveness and grace. In fulfillment of scripture not one bone in His body was broken, we do however break bread in remembrance of His body given for us and the cup is a sign of the new covenant of forgiveness and grace.

]]> By: pegramsdell http://www.beenthinking.org/2009/04/09/what-does-the-cross-mean-to-you/#comment-6847 pegramsdell Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:52:04 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=5037#comment-6847 Amen Laney! Bringing joy to Our Father, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit should be on all of our hearts. Everyday. I also agree that the comments here are uplifting and appreciated. God bless, and I pray you all have a Happy Easter weekend. Amen Laney! Bringing joy to Our Father, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit should be on all of our hearts. Everyday.
I also agree that the comments here are uplifting and appreciated. God bless, and I pray you all have a Happy Easter weekend.

]]> By: laney http://www.beenthinking.org/2009/04/09/what-does-the-cross-mean-to-you/#comment-6846 laney Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:03:33 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=5037#comment-6846 DaisyMaryGolDR, I say amen to your prayer.When I read all the comments here from my brothers and sisters in Christ it just touches my heart. But more than my heart,I think it truly blesses,and touches the heart of our Father when he sees all the love everyone has here for his Son.So I truly hope this Good Friday we are able to bless and bring some joy and love to Father,Son and Holy Spirit. DaisyMaryGolDR, I say amen to your prayer.When I read all the comments here from my brothers and sisters in Christ it just touches my heart. But more than my heart,I think it truly blesses,and touches the heart of our Father when he sees all the love everyone has here for his Son.So I truly hope this Good Friday we are able to bless and bring some joy and love to Father,Son and Holy Spirit.

]]> By: Rick123 http://www.beenthinking.org/2009/04/09/what-does-the-cross-mean-to-you/#comment-6845 Rick123 Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:01:29 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=5037#comment-6845 laney: Good photograph(Crown of Thorns galaxy, and the hand in heaven) This reminds me of our Father's eternal purpose for his universe which he created not in vain, but to be inhabited by mankind and ever expanding throughout the whole universe without end. He will bring the whole universe in subjection under Christ feet, for he hath appointed him heir of all things, and though he left nothing [that is] not put under him. he left nothing [that is] not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. "he left nothing [that is] not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him." Christ's rulership of the whole universe will begin when the holy city in heaven comes down to Jerusalem in Israel, where our Lord Jesus was crucified, so the Father has and will bring all things under the headship of his Son-Jesus. The Holy Father will rule through his Son-Jesus from Jerusalem, the throne room(Rev 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament....Rev 15:5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.) The moral code(Ten-Commandments) is the foundation of the throne of the Most High, it is the foundation of scripture(God's word), and by it, he will rule as supreme over all his family including his Son-Jesus forever. laney:
Good photograph(Crown of Thorns galaxy, and the hand in heaven)

This reminds me of our Father’s eternal purpose for his universe which he created not in vain, but to be inhabited by mankind and ever expanding throughout the whole universe without end.

He will bring the whole universe in subjection under Christ feet, for he hath appointed him heir of all things, and though he left nothing [that is] not put under him. he left nothing [that is] not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.

“he left nothing [that is] not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.”

Christ’s rulership of the whole universe will begin when the holy city in heaven comes down to Jerusalem in Israel, where our Lord Jesus was crucified, so the Father has and will bring all things under the headship of his Son-Jesus.

The Holy Father will rule through his Son-Jesus from Jerusalem, the throne room(Rev 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament….Rev 15:5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.) The moral code(Ten-Commandments) is the foundation of the throne of the Most High, it is the foundation of scripture(God’s word), and by it, he will rule as supreme over all his family including his Son-Jesus forever.

]]> By: daisymarygoldr http://www.beenthinking.org/2009/04/09/what-does-the-cross-mean-to-you/#comment-6844 daisymarygoldr Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:34:58 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=5037#comment-6844 Steve, agree about how you feel and that is the sadness that I was talking about… OGramps, you are right, that it is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ that maintains unity in the body. Lest we forget, that is exactly why Jesus ordained that His followers should remember Him by observing the Lord's Supper. He never told us to remember and celebrate His birth but He commanded us the Church to always remember His broken body and shed blood… not just once a year during the Holy week but as often as we get together to fellowship… till He comes again. This is again another sad thing for me to see the whole meaning of the Lord’s Supper getting completely lost in the empty rituals of communion. It is sad, little do we realize that every time we partake of the Lord's Supper in our Sunday worship gatherings at church, we are proclaiming the power… of the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary to the unbelieving world…which is the very foundation to the good news of the Gospel… and of course, needless to say that by taking part in the emblems, we the body: - Declare Jesus Christ as the Lord of our lives - Are reminded of His sacrifice for our sins… to sin no more - Identify with His death, burial and resurrection… to lead a victorious life - Indicate our unity in Him… as different members of one body - Proclaim His redemptive work…for the salvation of all who believe in Him BTW, no bitterness here but with much pain and sadness… if the Lords Supper is too trivial and has no more meaning in this culture and century… just listening to you all speak so passionately about “The Passion Of The Christ” makes me wish, we would all watch it every day at home and every week at church… if that is what it takes… to remind us of our confident expectation of hope— for the return of Jesus Christ our Lord! This Good Friday, it is my prayerful hope that we may remember the significance of the Cross not just once a year but every breathing moment of our lives… both individually as followers of Christ and corporately as His Church. Steve, agree about how you feel and that is the sadness that I was talking about…

OGramps, you are right, that it is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ that maintains unity in the body.

Lest we forget, that is exactly why Jesus ordained that His followers should remember Him by observing the Lord’s Supper. He never told us to remember and celebrate His birth but He commanded us the Church to always remember His broken body and shed blood… not just once a year during the Holy week but as often as we get together to fellowship… till He comes again.

This is again another sad thing for me to see the whole meaning of the Lord’s Supper getting completely lost in the empty rituals of communion. It is sad, little do we realize that every time we partake of the Lord’s Supper in our Sunday worship gatherings at church, we are proclaiming the power… of the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary to the unbelieving world…which is the very foundation to the good news of the Gospel… and of course, needless to say that by taking part in the emblems, we the body:

- Declare Jesus Christ as the Lord of our lives
- Are reminded of His sacrifice for our sins… to sin no more
- Identify with His death, burial and resurrection… to lead a victorious life
- Indicate our unity in Him… as different members of one body
- Proclaim His redemptive work…for the salvation of all who believe in Him

BTW, no bitterness here but with much pain and sadness… if the Lords Supper is too trivial and has no more meaning in this culture and century… just listening to you all speak so passionately about “The Passion Of The Christ” makes me wish, we would all watch it every day at home and every week at church… if that is what it takes… to remind us of our confident expectation of hope— for the return of Jesus Christ our Lord!

This Good Friday, it is my prayerful hope that we may remember the significance of the Cross not just once a year but every breathing moment of our lives… both individually as followers of Christ and corporately as His Church.

]]> By: poohpity http://www.beenthinking.org/2009/04/09/what-does-the-cross-mean-to-you/#comment-6843 poohpity Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:04:54 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=5037#comment-6843 When Jesus said from the Cross "It is finished". He never has to go there again but I have to go to the foot of that Cross daily sometimes minute by minute. The problem comes for me when I choose to look at everybody else and neglect my responsibility of only looking at my sin. It is impossible to never sin again but because of the Cross my sin is covered by the blood of the Lamb. The horrible misery He went through was not in vain because the world is now forgiven whether someone accepts this forgiveness or not that again is each individuals responsibility. I am so grateful for the forgiveness of my daily sin and I pray that I do not ever take the Cross for granted by looking at someone else's sin and not be aware of my own. If I have nothing else to be thankful for I am over come with gratitude because I have been forgiven by the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. The God who created all that is good has made a way for me to have a personal relationship with HIM. Wow!! Now that is something beyond description. When Jesus said from the Cross “It is finished”. He never has to go there again but I have to go to the foot of that Cross daily sometimes minute by minute. The problem comes for me when I choose to look at everybody else and neglect my responsibility of only looking at my sin. It is impossible to never sin again but because of the Cross my sin is covered by the blood of the Lamb.

The horrible misery He went through was not in vain because the world is now forgiven whether someone accepts this forgiveness or not that again is each individuals responsibility. I am so grateful for the forgiveness of my daily sin and I pray that I do not ever take the Cross for granted by looking at someone else’s sin and not be aware of my own.

If I have nothing else to be thankful for I am over come with gratitude because I have been forgiven by the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. The God who created all that is good has made a way for me to have a personal relationship with HIM. Wow!! Now that is something beyond description.

]]> By: GeeTee http://www.beenthinking.org/2009/04/09/what-does-the-cross-mean-to-you/#comment-6842 GeeTee Fri, 10 Apr 2009 16:55:46 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=5037#comment-6842 Some interesting comments on "what the cross means to us", methinks. We all have different perspectives that have most likely been influenced or shaped by words we've heard from persons we trusted(pastor/teacher), persons we may have considered more knowledgeable in the Scripture(friends/relations), our own imaginations(God forbid), images portrayed on paper, celluloid, or objects(books, films, crucifixes, etc.), but just exactly how reliable are these outside sources in revealing to us the enormity and horror of even one little sin against the holiness of God? Has the despicableness of my sin been revealed to me by the Holy Spirit that I might have godly sorrow that produces repentance(2Cor7:10)? If not, the Cross of Christ is nothing more than sticks, and it means nothing, as well. But God, who is rich in mercy, has given me a glimpse of my wickedness and has shown me as well that the provision for reconciliation has been made. From the moment of my natural birth I was an enemy of God, and until my 25th year(58 now) I hadn't a concern or care other than gratifying the flesh. A tragic episode began the process of that godly sorrow, and suddenly I knew that there was only One who could provide what I'd been without. When God called, I answered. The death, burial, and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ was for me and I received His gift. It wasn't something that I mustered up on my own, for I had been estranged from God up until then. I called on the Lord Jesus to forgive me and it was sealed. Forgiveness. Restoration. Reconciliation. Justification. Deliverance. Sanctification. Glorification. Admittedly, it's been a long, hard, row to hoe, and there've ups and downs and all-arounds, but the Lord Jesus has never left me nor forsaken me. The Cross of Christ means and is, life. Without the cross there would be no empty tomb. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." I Peter 1:3-5 It would take from now on to lay down in order everything that the Cross of Christ means to me, so I'll just leave it at this...LIFE!!! GT Some interesting comments on “what the cross means to us”, methinks. We all have different perspectives that have most likely been influenced or shaped by words we’ve heard from persons we trusted(pastor/teacher), persons we may have considered more knowledgeable in the Scripture(friends/relations), our own imaginations(God forbid), images portrayed on paper, celluloid, or objects(books, films, crucifixes, etc.), but just exactly how reliable are these outside sources in revealing to us the enormity and horror of even one little sin against the holiness of God? Has the despicableness of my sin been revealed to me by the Holy Spirit that I might have godly sorrow that produces repentance(2Cor7:10)? If not, the Cross of Christ is nothing more than sticks, and it means nothing, as well. But God, who is rich in mercy, has given me a glimpse of my wickedness and has shown me as well that the provision for reconciliation has been made. From the moment of my natural birth I was an enemy of God, and until my 25th year(58 now) I hadn’t a concern or care other than gratifying the flesh. A tragic episode began the process of that godly sorrow, and suddenly I knew that there was only One who could provide what I’d been without. When God called, I answered. The death, burial, and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ was for me and I received His gift. It wasn’t something that I mustered up on my own, for I had been estranged from God up until then. I called on the Lord Jesus to forgive me and it was sealed. Forgiveness. Restoration. Reconciliation. Justification. Deliverance. Sanctification. Glorification. Admittedly, it’s been a long, hard, row to hoe, and there’ve ups and downs and all-arounds, but the Lord Jesus has never left me nor forsaken me. The Cross of Christ means and is, life. Without the cross there would be no empty tomb. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” I Peter 1:3-5 It would take from now on to lay down in order everything that the Cross of Christ means to me, so I’ll just leave it at this…LIFE!!! GT

]]> By: drkennyg http://www.beenthinking.org/2009/04/09/what-does-the-cross-mean-to-you/#comment-6841 drkennyg Fri, 10 Apr 2009 16:50:47 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=5037#comment-6841 Yes I, too was deeply moved by "The Passion Of The Christ". Even though it was only a movie it attempted to reveal the true events better than other efforts in the past. I don't really like crucifixes because they seem like idols (just MHO), but the simple, unadorned and gruesome tree is graphic enough. My Redeemer Lives. Yes I, too was deeply moved by “The Passion Of The Christ”. Even though it was only a movie it attempted to reveal the true events better than other efforts in the past. I don’t really like crucifixes because they seem like idols (just MHO), but the simple, unadorned and gruesome tree is graphic enough.

My Redeemer Lives.

]]>