The Cross

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Christ in his mercy has forgiven us our sins. Christ in his mercy has set our eyes upon GOD and let us see him first upon a cross. By as early as 200 AD we know that Christians were crossing themselves as a defense from temptation and a shield against evil. The cross is at the very heart of the gospel we have received.

How many pieces can we break into just marveling at this fact. The first Exodus involved a miracle of creation and the drowning of the Egyptian military. GOD is powerful and Israel was saved out of slavery. The second Exodus comes as the wounded Word hangs upon that cursed tree, blood coursing through the torn Word-made-flesh. We look upon a wicked death and see our savior and our King.

I know we are in Easter and past Good Friday ... but I am still thinking of the cross. I keep thinking about it.

Here is Tertullian (200AD): At every forward step and movement, at ever going in and out, when we put on our clothes and shoes, when we bathe, when we sit at table, when we light the lamps, one couch, on seat, in all the ordinary actions of daily life, we trace upon the forehead the sign [the cross].

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