Stunning

I complained silently in my head about all the laundry I had to do as I hauled the overflowing laundry basket across the living room.  Wondering if it was time to start cooking dinner, I glanced over to the tv to check the time.  And that’s when I noticed it. 

I can’t remember the station, but I recognized the movie that was playing, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe”.  I’ve seen this movie many times before.  It’s a beautiful movie that is based on C.S. Lewis’ classic book.

As my eyes focused on the screen, Aslan, the lion was about to be killed.  The White Witch was looming over him with a spear.  She then dramatically plunges it down into him.  While onscreen, we don’t see the actual spear penetrate or the gore associated with it, you do see the agony on Aslan’s face as he endures it and dies. It grips your heart.  My eyes grew wide and filled with tears.  Right there in the middle of my living room, laundry basket on hip, I stood stunned.

I remembered Jesus at that moment. The beatings, mockery, and abuse He went through leading up to the crucifixion.  The pain and suffering of being nailed to a cross.  My sweet Jesus took all that on for me.  And for you, for the whole world!  Our precious Savior, our mighty King, stepped down from His throne and died for us. 

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)

In that instant, as I stood frozen, I prayed.  My heart swelling with love and gratitude, I whispered, “Lord, may the cross never stop being stunning to me.  Jesus, thank You.  Thank You for all that You have done for me.”

After all this time, the cross has never ceased being stunning to me.  Stop in your tracks – breathe deep – stunning.  And it should continually capture us.  It should always cause our hearts to skip a beat and leave us in awe. 

So I wonder today, has the cross stopped being stunning to you?  How often do you think about your salvation? Do you recall with regularity, what your life was like before you accepted Jesus as your Savior?  I do.  I remember my life before I really knew Jesus.  I’m not dwelling on my past sins and mistakes, beating myself up. Not at all, that stuff is forgiven.  It has been wiped away. 

“So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:28 (NIV)

I am remembering that I once was a sinner but now I am a saint.  I am recalling that old life that was broken and dead, is now new and free!   And as I remember, my gratefulness grows.  As I quickly sift through a few memories and moments from the past, I am thankful.  Jesus and the cross are still stunning to me.  Still precious.  Always worthy of my attention, worship, and praise.

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 1 Thessalonians 3:9 (NIV)

May the cross never be just another part of the Bible.  May it never be just another event in history.  No! Let it be as amazing and tender and stunning to as when we first heard the story.  May it cause our hearts to break open day after day with love and gratitude.  And may we never keep it to ourselves.  Share it with others.  Tell them all about our loving Savior.  And may they too, find this incredible King... Stunning.

“And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.” 1 John 4:14-15 (NIV)

Post by Marcy Gates