Theme: The Cross, the Source of Victory
( Num. 21:4-9, Ps 78, Phil 2 : 6:11, Jn 3: 13-17)
The cross of Jesus is the source of salvation for humanity. He walked the way of the cross to lead humanity back to it’s original state. Through his cross he reconciled us to God once more. But for his death on the cross, we would have been nothing in this world. He paid the prize on the cross with his life to restore us to our original dignity.
Beloved, the cross brought victory to humanity. Because it was through his death on the cross that we were delivered from the slavery of sin. His blood that he shed on the cross washed away our iniquities and made us whole again.
It was a cursed for someone to die on the tree (Deut. 21: 22-23,Gal 3:13). This was a form of death reserved only for hardened criminals. He chose to die as a criminal to redeem us from our wretchedness. The cross no longer became a symbol of shame again, but a source of power and transformation.
Beloved, the cross again is a symbol of humility. Jesus humbled himself to die a shameful death, death on the cross. It takes a man of humility to accept to die such a kind of death for the sake of others. Especially, when he knows that he has done nothing wrong to deserve such a type of death. And as the book of Philippians will put it, God has also exalted him and has raised his name above every name (Phil 2:9-10). We are invited to humble ourselves, even if it means to suffer disgrace for the sake of others. At the end of this shame, Jesus will exalt us among our folks.
The cross teaches us to sacrifice for others. It is the supreme sacrifice of Jesus on the cross that has made you and I to be enjoying today. Therefore, we need to also sacrifice for one another. Those of us who find it difficult to sacrifice for others, it is a moment to learn from Jesus today. Sacrifice is devoid of personal comfort. If you always want your comfort, then you can’t sacrifice for others. We want to enjoy the sacrifices of others but we don’t want to do likewise.
May God grant us the grace to always trust in the redemptive power of the cross . Amen .
Have a Blessed Sunday. Shalom.
Rev. Fr. Akakpo Matthew
