While the luggage we bring with us varies from person to person, and our journies begin from roads and places all over the geographical and spiritual map, God has eternally been calling each of us and leading us all to the ONE road. It is the road that leads us to the ONE place He desires us all to reach and experience in our own ways. It is the road to of the cross.
It is here on this ONE road that our lives converge. We, who reside at the foot of the cross, find unity here. Together we stand, or kneel, wide-eyed and open mouthed before the horror, the majesty, and yes, even the beauty of the cross. It is our mission now to walk this Cross Road and to call others to join us in this calling.
While the road leads us to the cross – it is not the cross itself that is the object of our wonder or the point of our journey. The cross, as such, merely represents the culmination of the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. It is not the end of the road for our Savior. Rather, it is a symbol of his comprehensive willingness to die to self for the sake of the Father – and then move on.
So here at the foot of the cross we are struck by its vacancy. There is no body on the cross. The empty cross points then, to the tomb. There is no body in the tomb either. The empty cross, to the empty tomb – all points to a risen savior. A savior not whom we once served, but whom we still serve. As the earthly ministry of the Christ ended with a glorified savior now exalted to the right hand of God – so our earthly ministries will end in Sabbath rest. The Cross Road leads us first to self-denial or death to self that we may take up our own cross daily. Dying to self, then, leads to the remarkable truth that we we still wait for the redemption of our bodies – we are by faith raised with him and seated with him in the heavenly places.
Ultimately our tombs are also destined for abandonment. At that moment, at last, God who brought Jesus from his tomb will bring us from ours – preserving us body soul and spirit ont he day of his appearing. And there will end the Cross Road.
Thus is our journey.
