Passion With The Cross

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. – Galatians 6:14

Yesterday, we talked about how we can take pride in the cross because of what Jesus accomplished by His crucifixion and resurrection. The cross casts a long shadow, and it’s in our best interest that we live in the shadow of the cross.

Today, we’re going to look at another way we can live in this shadow and honor the Lord with the way we live our lives. (If you missed yesterday’s devotion where we talked about the first way, I strongly encourage you to go read it.)

The second way to live in the shadow of the cross is to find passion with the cross. It is not without irony that Mel Gibson’s magnificent depiction of the death of Jesus Christ was called “The Passion Of The Christ.” The common definition of passion is “A compelling emotion or desire that drives everything you do.” Why do we refer to the death of Jesus Christ as “The Passion”?

For one simple reason – the cross of Jesus Christ points to everything that God is passionate about. God is so passionate that we spend eternity with Him that He sent Jesus Christ to die on that cross. Jesus Christ was so passionate that our sins be forgiven so we could spend eternity with Him that He willingly gave His life on that cross. 

The truth is, you know what you are really passionate about when you are willing to lay down your life for it. So, in the shadow of the cross, you should see both God’s passionate love for you in Jesus’s death, and you should show your passionate love for Jesus in your life.

Dear Lord, thank you for being so passionate about me that you were willing to send your Son to die for me. And thank you Jesus for sacrificing your life because you were passionate about having a relationship with me. May the gravity of these truths never seem lighter as I dwell on them. In Jesus’ name, amen.