As a young girl I loved Easter because I got a new frilly dress, a basketful of various forms of “goodies”, and my family always gathered together to eat and engage in the fun of a big ol’ Easter egg hunt.  I have lots of sweet memories of those days.

As I got older, I would hear about the sacrifice Christ made for me, but could not grasp the depth of what that meant for my life.  I knew I felt emotional, teary at the Easter services, but the idea that anyone would ever experience THAT kind of torment for me? Unfathomable!! I did not understand the gravity of the Cross.  I remember many years where the family would gather on Easter evening and the major TV networks would play the movie “The Ten Commandments”; still to this day I cannot figure out what that story had to do with Easter.  Perhaps it diffused the message of the Cross.

We wear crosses around our necks, I’ve seen tattoos of the cross on many an arm, and we have crosses displayed in a great deal of our churches. Yet, we can only begin to feel the Power of the Cross when we apply to ourselves personally; He did it for me!! For me!! I look at my life, my choices, and my challenges; I don’t deserve to be loved and forgiven in this way!  and yet, He did it for me….

Last night I had the privilege of walking through the Stations of the Cross.  It was a vivid experience as I knew with every step toward a new station I was walking nearer and nearer to the Cross. The moment was powerful to my soul when I rounded the corner of the room. My eyes were fixed on the Cross lying on the ground; nails still in place.  I wept with sadness and with joy.  I felt the gravity of the cost for my forgiveness. I felt the power of the Cross.

The Apostle Paul said it best; “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Grateful and humbled this Good Friday.