The Powerful Pull of the Cross
Pastor David Kuntz

The most common religious symbol in our part of the world is the cross.  You see the cross on churches, on the side of highways and in hospitals.  You see the cross in jewelry, in graveyards, and on bumper stickers.  You may even see athletes cross themselves during a sporting event.  Everywhere you go you’re being confronted with this all-encompassing symbol. It is amazing that some 2,000 years after the death of Jesus Christ that this symbol continues to thrive.  There is something about this object that grabs our attention and allures our thoughts.  

Before our Savior died, He spoke about the powerful pull of the cross.  In John 12:32-33 Jesus said, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.  This He said, signifying by what death He would die.”  Long before Jesus knew died, He prophesied about the manner in which He would die.  His words “if I be lifted up” referred to his death by crucifixion.  The power to draw all kinds of people to Himself was not just from dying on a cross, for any man could have done that.  When Jesus spoke of being lifted up on the cross, He used it with a double meaning.  Being lifted up also referred to being lifted up in the resurrection.  It is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that draws sinful man to Himself.  Now when Jesus said “I will draw all peoples to Myself” he did not mean that everyone will be saved.  Jesus already made it clear that many will not be saved (John 5:28-29).  Jesus said His offer of salvation extends to all people, not just the Jews.  His incredible love, expressed in His death for all people, continues to draw and unify all kinds of people who repent of their sin and believe on Him.

The power of the cross began to operate and draw all kinds of men to Christ as soon as He was crucified.  As soon as the cross was erected a few hours later He saved a Jewish thief.  The thief was transformed by the power of Jesus Christ.  He was the only one to publicly confess Jesus Christ as He hung upon the cross.  His first convert was a man who had cursed him while his second convert was a man who had crucified him.  The Roman centurion stood there and observed the Lord’s love for others, in spite of how He was treated.  He saw how the Lord forgave His foes, comforted the dying thief, and made provision for His mother.  Then the Scriptures say: “Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, certainly this was a righteous man”  (Luke 23:47).  The Roman soldier realized that day the inescapable logic of Calvary.  Jesus Christ died for sinners like himself.  But, the pull of the cross did not stop there.  No sooner had Jesus died on the cross than Joseph of Arimathaea forgot his fear and confronted Pilate for the body of Christ.  And no sooner had Jesus died than Nicodemus brought an expensive tribute of spices for all men to see.  The power of the cross could turn the coward into a hero and the quiet follower into a powerful force for Christ.  Jesus had not even been dead for an hour when his own prophecy came true: “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”  (John 12:32).  But when Christ was resurrected He pulled thousands of people to Himself.  Friends have you come to the cross and experienced the power of Christ crucified and Christ resurrected?  If not, today is the day you can find the life changing power of Christ.  If Jesus could change these men’s lives, he can definitely change yours!  Write us and let us know if you made a decision to respond the powerful of cross where Jesus died for your sins to make peace with God.