A tune keeps looping in my head this week – this week of The Cross.

I know that we are marching quickly toward Resurrection Day, but one cannot get to Easter without going through The Cross.

This tune holds words written by Fanny Crosby in the 1860s, a long time ago, but the message of The Cross has not changed. The Cross, Jesus’ Cross, remains the ‘emblem of suffering and shame’, the sinner’s hope, the eternal picture of God’s great love and grace.

Hum along with me as these words, penned by a blind servant of God carry us to this place of reconciliation (Ephesians 2:16).

Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain—
Free to all, a healing stream—
Flows from Calv’ry’s mountain.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and Mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadows o’er me.

Near the cross I’ll watch and wait
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.

In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

Too many times we trivialize the suffering of The Cross. Too many times we gloss over the reality of the fact that The Cross was the consequence of our sin – my sin.

The reality of The Cross demands response. We cannot ignore it or set it aside. We either embrace it or reject the redemption purchased there.

This week of The Cross, I want to take the time to remember, to appreciate, to sorrow, and to rejoice in the shadow of The Cross.

Father, keep my heart near The Cross this week and always. Never let me lose sight of the price You paid for my salvation. Never let me take Your great love for granted. Thank You for loving me enough to go to The Cross. Thank You for redeeming me. I love You, Lord.

Galatians 6:14 ¹⁴ But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Colossians 2:14 ¹⁴ Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

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