what jesus did on the cross
Jesus "was known to be of human estate, and it was thus that He humbled Himself, obediently accepting even death, death on a cross!" —Philippians 2:7-8
The cross, a means of executing a criminal and a symbol of cruelty and shame, was changed by Jesus into the greatest symbol of God's love and glory. Jesus effected this transformation by what He did on the cross. On the cross, Jesus:
- shed His blood to redeem us, wash away our sins (Eph 1:7), and deliver us from a futile way of life (1 Pt 1:18-19),
- made it possible for us to become children of God (Gal 6:15) and share in the divine nature (2 Pt 1:4),
- made the most pure act of unconditional love and poured out infinite mercy,
- humbled Himself and obeyed His Father (Phil 2:8),
- forgave us and taught us to forgive others (see Lk 23:34),
- drew all people to Himself (Jn 12:32),
- gave us the opportunity to believe in Him so as to have eternal life (Jn 3:14-15),
- made "peace through the blood of His cross" (Col 1:20),
- gave us the Holy Spirit (see Jn 19:30), and
- gave us Mary to be our mother (Jn 19:26-27).
During the few hours Jesus hung on the cross, He did more to transform the human race than has been or will be done in all the hours in the history of the world. Let us live to worship Jesus and tell as many people as possible about the triumph of His cross.
Prayer: Jesus, I am overwhelmed by Your infinite grace. I give my life totally to You.
Promise: "Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, he recovered." —Nm 21:9
Praise: "We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world" (St. Francis of Assisi).
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Richard L. Klug, January 16, 2004
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 26, 2004