I GLORY IN THE CROSS

Paul says on Galatians 6:14, “but God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Now let me say right upfront, it wasn’t the Cross that made Jesus Christ so special – it was Jesus that made the Cross so special!

There is a story told of an old Christian scientist that used to travel the world lecturing, by the name of Harry Rhymer.  At one such speaking engagement, after Professor Rhymer finished his lecture, he opened the floor for questions.

One student, that happened to be Jewish, asked this question, “Professor Rhymer, what is it that Jesus Christ did that no one else has done?”

Professor Rhymer said, “Son, you are Jewish, am I correct?’  The student said “Yes.”  He then said, “Well I will assume then that you are aware of Jewish history, and you know that 30,000 young Jewish men were Crucified by the Romans during their reign?”  The Jewish student said, “Yes, I am aware that 30,000 were put to death by the Romans.”

Professor Rhymer then said, “I am going to name one of them, then I want you to name one of them.  I name Jesus Christ.  Now, it is your turn.”

The Jewish student then said, “Well, I can’t think of another name.”  Professor Rhymer then said, “Exactly, because no one else went to that Cross to bear the sins of man and no one else rose again on the third day with victory over death, hell and the grave,”

I thank God that you and I can Glory in the Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ!

• You see, Jesus turned our Cross of Guilt into a Cross of Glory!
• He turned our Cross from a Beam of Execution to a Balm of Salvation!

It is Jesus of the Cross that we are to Glory in.  Paul doesn’t say “the Cross of THE Lord Jesus Christ.”  He said “the Cross of OUR Lord Jesus Christ.”  And there is a difference there my friend.  Until you make it personal – until you make Jesus Christ yours, you will never know the Glory of the Cross!

Paul said, “I glory in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  That word LORD is interpreted MASTER.  Paul is saying here that Jesus Christ is the Master of his life – HE is in control.

He then says “LORD JESUS.”  JESUS in the New Testament has the same meaning as Joshua of the Old Testament.  JOSHUA means “Jehovah is our Savior.”

Jesus is our Savior – He is our Mediator – He is the one standing between God and man making intercession for us!

Then Paul says He is “Our Lord Jesus Christ.”  This tells us that He is our Messiah – He is our Prophet, Priest and King.

Now, had the Lord Jesus Christ not gone to Calvary’s Cross, you and I would never have known what it means to be free from the penalty of sin.

The only way to Heaven is through the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ!”  And Jesus is not “A WAY,” He is “THE WAY.”  There is none other name given in Heaven among men whereby they MUST be saved.

Therefore, I will Glory in the Cross!