Unity at the Cross…..
At the Cross there is unity. All creeds, all denominations, all peoples are confronted with the powerful statement from the cross. Who can argue with the cross of Jesus? Who is the cross for? The cross is a reminder of our need for God. Only Christ could make a way and He did it for all who would receive this most precious gift.
How often do we quote John 3:16 but fail to add John 3:17? This is not a universalist theology but a cry from the heart of our loving Father God:
‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.’
When we stand at the foot of the cross and consider the suffering of our Saviour who are we to divide up salvation like the soldiers who divided His clothing into lots? Who are we to add our own expectations about who can be saved, and how, when or why to this beautiful and powerful gift of love from the cross?
But we do add our own doctrines to salvation. We do make distinctions that divide us. Lord have mercy on us for we do not know what we are doing. Let us repent of our pride and look to the cross as the only source for the salvation of the cosmos. That’s the word John used. Broad and inclusive. God SO loved the world, not his church, not certain cultures, not certain denominations, or worship styles, God so loved the COSMOS! Let us be like our heavenly Holy Father.
Who was the cross for?