The Cross

By Robert Hereth

Is the sole purpose of the golden cross my wife wears every moment to remind her of God's love and forgiveness? She would modestly say it's at least the primary purpose. But Jesus wouldn't talk that way. He hopes, correctly, it also reminds her of the crosses she must be willing to carry to be a Christian.

He made it clear: "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their crosses daily and follow me." Luke 9: 23

In that way a cross is the perfect symbol for the spot we are on. The vertical trunk stands for our relationship with God, while the horizontal branch represents our relationship with everyone and everything in the world about us. And we live on the spot where the two intersect!

On that spot we best express our love of God - by our sacrificial love for his children and his world. Also on that spot we sacrifice to love and forgive others - in the strength God provides and in trust that God's Spirit can use our little efforts to further his Gracious Plan.

On the spot where we Christians live, always the vertical and the horizontal are working at the same time.