The Cross

As I mentioned in my last post, I have been reading the book The Search for Significance. He made a very profound statement that I can't seem to forget, "Every day our minds should be overwhelmed by thankfulness for what he did on our behalf."

On dictionary.com, overwhelmed means to affect deeply in mind or emotion. I think about my mind being overwhelmed by the very thought of Christ on the cross. If I would focus on his death on the cross daily and remember his payment for my sin what a different lifestyle I might actually live. When I really do sit and think about his death on the cross I become overwhelmed with emotion and tears begin to stream down my cheeks. I can't help but remember Jesus upon the cross in the movie The Passion of the Christ.

To look at this picture alone sends chills up my spine as I think about the excruciating pain Christ went through on my behalf. I often joke about watching this movie when a group of people is around because it's definately going to change to mood of the crowd. I haven't seen this movie since it came out in 2004 and I think that perhaps it is a movie I should watch more often because it paints such a great picture of Christ's sacrifice for my life. If nothing else I should just watch the scenes in which Christ begins to be beaten to death and then forced to carry his cross through the city to the hill in which he lays his life down for me.

I can't help but be reminded of the verse Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This verse often finds me in a place of sorrow as I think about how sinful I am and how Christ died upon the cross for me despite this. God loves me enough that no matter how many times I will sin against me his love will remain the same. Amazing.

In honor of Easter I post the lyrics and a youtube video to the song, How Could You Say No? This is by far one of my favorite songs representing the picture of Christ giving up his life for me...

Thorns on His head, spear in His side
Yet it was a heartache that made Him cry
He gave His life so you would understand
Is there any way you could say no to this Man?

If Christ Himself
Were standing here
Face full of glory and eyes full of tears
Held out His arms with His nail pierced hands
Is there any way you could say no to this Man?

Chorus:
How could you look in His tear-stained eyes
Knowing it's you He's thinking of?
Would you tell Him you're not ready to give Him your life?
Could you say you don't think you need His love?
Jesus is here with His arms open wide
You can see Him with your heart if you'll stop looking with your eyes
He's left it up to you, He's done all He can
Is there any way you could say no to this Man?

Thorns on His head, your life is in His hands
Is there any way you could say no to this Man?
Oh, is there any way you could say no to this Man?