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Dead Man Walking

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You see them everywhere. They are on everything from Christian churches to gangsta rappers. There is a national notion that they are a necessary neck charm. Perhaps you have one hanging on your wall or on your person right now. I'm talking about one of the most recognized symbols in the world:

A cross

You can get a cross in all sorts of sizes and substances, and they have become a fashion statement for thousands of people who probably have no clue what it means.

Do you know what it means?

The cross may be a harmless accessory or good luck charm these days, but that's not the way it was 2000 years ago. The Roman Empire constructed this crude wooden structure as an instrument of torture and execution for the worst criminals of their day.

What would you think of someone who walked around wearing a little electric chair or gas chamber? What about a family who had a poster of a firing squad hung proudly in their living room? At the very least you might conclude that these folks were a little off, and you might even be tempted to recommend professional help. That's the reaction you would get if you displayed a cross in Jesus' day. Strange looks and doubts about your sanity would be two major themes of your life.

But times have changed and the meaning of the cross has changed because of the one Person who changed everything.

Jesus died on a cross. He was brutally tortured and beaten to the point of being unrecognizable as a human being, and then he was nailed to this ruthless device to further suffer and die. To be crucified on a cross was to suffer an unbelievable and merciless form of death. The most innocent man in the universe was killed on the most guilt ridden symbol in history.

Why? Why did God Himself have to come to earth as the God/Man Jesus and have His life ended in such a strange and horrific way?

There are several possible and correct answers to that question.

For example, in Psalm 22:16 there is a prediction that Jesus would have His hands and feet "pierced." At the time that was written there was no form of execution that involved driving a spike through a person's hands or feet, so the prophecy could only be fulfilled by Jesus going through crucifixion, as developed by the Roman Empire. As well, Jesus was born and raised at the height of the Roman Empire . There were roads that led to nearly every part of the world, and a vast number of people spoke a common Greek language. It was the perfect time for Christ to come so that the gospel could be spread quickly and effectively. So, another reason He died on the cross was the fact that crucifixion was the most common form of execution at that time. But perhaps the biggest reason that Jesus had to die on the cross had nothing to do with the what and the where, rather it had everything to do with the who...as in you and me.

That's right. Jesus had to die on the cross because "all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard" (Romans 3:23 ). Every person has done things that are wrong, which is what the Bible calls sin. You sin, I sin, we all sin. In a universe created and ruled by a perfect and holy God, this sin must be punished: a sacrifice must be made. This puts humanity as a whole in a major hole. Here's where it gets even worse: there is no way we can pay for our own sins. We could never live a perfect life, and even if we could from here on out, we are still guilty of our sins from the past. So basically because of the wrong things we all do, we all have a death sentence on our heads.

Here's where it gets really good: "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures..." (1 Corinthians 15:3). Jesus' horrible death on the cross made it possible for God to forgive us of all the bad things we have ever done. The Bible says that "the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from every sin." (I John 1:7). Because of Jesus' death on the cross, our sins can be forgiven. His death on the cross opened up an opportunity for all people on earth to have their slate wiped clean and receive eternal life in heaven.

The whole reason Jesus died on the cross can be summed up in the following words:

"Christ also suffered when he died for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners that he might bring us safely home to God" (1 Peter 3:18).

So the next time you see a cross, remember that it is not a fashion statement or a good luck charm. It is a reminder of when the greatest tragedy of all time (the murder of Jesus) and the greatest victory of all time (payment for our sins and the offer of eternal life) happened all at the same time. The cross should make you grieve and rejoice, and most of all, it should motivate you to tell everyone you know about it's true meaning.

Head: What you need to know about this truth

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Heart: What you need to feel about this truth

The death of Jesus on the cross should never be something that fails to grab our heart and emotions and make us forever grateful...but unfortunately for many Christians, this is what has happened. They have heard the story of Easter over and over so much that the most important moment in history has become just another commonplace fact. Christian, if this is the case in your life, I would challenge you today to reconnect with your Savior. Write a song, a poem, or a letter of thanksgiving to Jesus. You could also draw a picture of the crucifixion and hang it on your wall to remind you of the price He paid in your place. As well, you could rent the Jesus Film or The Passion of the Christ to remind you of why your destiny is no longer an eternity in hell. MOST IMPORTANTLY: Have you personally placed your trust in Jesus' death and resurrection as your only hope of salvation? If you are not absolutely sure, click here immediately!!!

Hands: What you need to do about this truth

Get together with your youth group and make a huge poster depicting the death of Christ on the Cross. This could be done through a collage, drawings, paintings, or any other number of ways to capture that moment. At the bottom of the poster, write in big letters: "HE DIED FOR ME, I'LL LIVE FOR HIM", and make lines so that anyone who wants to can sign the poster. Hang it up in the youth room as a regular reminder of the death of Jesus on a Cross. Also, because so many people wear crosses these days, we have an awesome opportunity to start up a conversation about the gospel. The next time you see someone wearing a cross, ask them why he or she chose that particular symbol. After letting them share, ask if you can explain what you have learned about the cross.