The Power of the Cross

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!” – Matthew 27:50-54

Yesterday was probably one of about two services a year, the other being Christmas, when you knew exactly what the preacher was going to preach before he ever stepped up to the microphone and opened his Bible.

Matter of fact, if you DID NOT hear a message about the Resurrection during church, yesterday, please send me a message and tell me what the sermon topic was because I am sincerely interested.

I know I sure preached it yesterday and I did not see any looks of shock or surprise across the faces of those in the congregation.

It was expected because it was Easter.

  • It was a time of reflection and appreciation of Jesus’ sacrifice for us.
  • It was a time of celebration over Jesus’ victory over death.
  • It was a time to get dressed up, take pictures with the family, eat some candy and hide and (hopefully) find Easter eggs – if that’s your thing.

And today we go back to living life like normal again, which I certainly understand but I do not necessarily like. 

Work, school, family, etc. obligations require focus, time and attention and there is nothing wrong with that.

However, I do not want to diminish Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross to a once a year sermonette wedged somewhere between family pictures and an Easter Bunny and not think about the most pivotal point in human history for another year.

My prayer is that I would NEVER get to far away from the Cross in my life and my preaching.

Without Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion and subsequent Resurrection nothing else would REALLY matter.

We sing a variety of songs at our church – new stuff, old stuff, original stuff – and I love all of it but one old song that gets me EVERY TIME is “The Old Rugged Cross.”

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

I’m going to cherish the old rugged cross and keep it on my mind well after I have eaten most of my kids Easter candy and I would encourage each of you to do the same.

In His Service,
Jarryd Raynes – Senior Pastor
Upper Room Church

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