Appreciating the Cross

27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then “ ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’ Luke 23:27-30


This is the remains of a rock slide. Who knows when it happened? I am glad I wasn’t around. When I saw it, I thought of Jesus quoting this verse from Hosea to the women mourning for Him on his way to the cross. This same judgment shows up in Revelation 6:15-16. The wrath of God is so great that people will scream, “Give me a painful, terrifying death of 300 pound rocks avalanching over me, than to come face to face with the wrath of God.” This picture helps me appreciate Jesus’ request in the garden for the cup (the wrath of God) to be removed if possible. Let us think carefully about the awful death of Jesus so that our hearts might be melted and transformed at the cross.

Jesus, rarely does the sight or mention of the cross evoke any response in me—tears, joy, repentance, surrender. My heart is sluggish. Jesus, open the eyes of my heart. Help me to see my sin more fully at the cross. May the cross teach me not to take lightly my sin against family, friends and those I pastor. I confess that my sin nailed You, creator and King to the cross. Thank You for loving me. Thank You Jesus for taking the avalanche of the wrath of God. Jesus, help me to live a holy life gladly indebted to You.