The Cross

November 21the cross;congregation of st. joseph

I am thankful for the cross. As a Christian, it is, of course, the symbol of the church. But it is much more than an icon. It is what Christianity is built around. It could be called the cornerstone of our faith.

I feel much shame when I think of what we humans do to others of our species. It is even worse what they did to Jesus Christ, who was as innocent a man as has ever lived,, who did not deserve the way he was treated and killed. But God used the torture and death of Jesus as a way to transfer our sins to Him and be exonerated for the shameful things we do. But above that, He overcame the cross. We have that as our shining promise for a better life ahead.

I don't believe I had ever seen this church shown in the photo before but happened upon it last week. The sun was in just the right place to put a shadow of the cross on the roof. I had been waiting for a photo like this to pair with the lyrics below, which I wrote for a song a few years ago.

in the shade of a cross

my troubles are many

and my worries are great

my anguish tormenting

from this horrible fate

but compared to His suffering

at the hands of our sin

my problems mean nothing

for what we do to Him

in the shade of a cross

my dear Savior waits

with arms open wide

in His sweet saving grace

i’m tied to the cross

and His blood’s on my heart

i go to Him now

to made a new start

in the shade of a cross

and i wandered alone

with no help in my sight

when i stumbled upon Him

i was ready to fight

but resistance was futile

i could no more fight back

He cradled me gently

with the faith that i lacked

so when you feel troubled

think that He came to heal

He suffered to lessen

all the burdens you feel

He forgave the great evil

that they did unto Him

He suffered in silence

so that we all might live

in the shade of a cross

my dear Savior waits

with arms open wide

in His sweet saving grace

i’m tied to the cross

and His blood’s on my heart

i go to Him now

to made a new start

in the shade of a cross.

© rt tulley