The Power of the Cross

As we have taken the circle as the symbol of reason and madness, we may very well take the cross as the symbol at once of mystery and health. Buddhism is centripetal, but Christianity is centrifugal: it breaks out. For the circle is perfect and infinite in its nature; but it is fixed forever in its size; it can never be larger or smaller. But the cross, though it has at its heart a collision and a contradiction, can extend its four arms for ever without altering its shape. Because it has a paradox in its center it can grow without changing. The circle returns upon itself and is bound. The cross opens its arms to the four winds; it is a signpost for free travelers. (G. K. Chesterton)

The figure of the Crucified invalidates all thought which takes success for its standard. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

The cross is the only ladder high enough to reach heaven's threshold. (G.D. Boardman)

Jesus was crucified, not in a cathedral between two candles, but on a cross between two thieves. (George F. MacLeod)

The cross cannot be defeated for it is defeat. (G.K. Chesterton)

There are no crown-wearers in heaven who were not cross-bearers here below. (Charles H. Spurgeon)

We need men of the cross, with the message of the cross, bearing the marks of the cross. (Vance Havner)

Christ's cross is such a burden as sails are to a ship or wings to a bird. (Samuel Rutherford)

The old cross slew men; the new cross entertains them. The old cross condemned; the new cross amuses. The old cross destroyed confidence in the flesh; the new cross encourages it. (A. W. Tozer)

All heaven is interested in the cross of Christ, all hell is terribly afraid of it, while men are the only beings who more or less ignore it. (Oswald Chambers)

These are simply a few of the musings I've collected on the theme of the Cross over the past couple months. Powerful thoughts. Powerful cross. One of my favourite songs is The Power of the Cross by Keith Getty. The message stated in that song must grip the heart of everyone who listens to it, if it doesn't there is something very wrong with that heart. It is cold. It is dead. When I hear this song my heart swells with a confusion of emotions, as do my eyes. I will inevitably cry as this song plays. My tears are a sign of my own emotions, mixed and torn as they are. They are tears which reveal the grief I sense at the thought of my Saviour's suffering. They are tears which reveal my joy as I sense the relief of salvation. They are tears of exultant gratitude as I know I now stand forgiven at the cross.