As we observe this Lenten season, looming before us is the Cross, upon which Jesus, God's Son, our Savior died. What does it all mean? Scholars and simple people of faith alike have given interpretation to its meaning down through the centuries. I wanted to devote this front page of the Tower to the Cross since it is the center of God's redemptive love for the whole world and because on Good Friday, this year being April 18, I wanted us to have some fresh thought on its meaning for us. I have borrowed from Mack B. Stokes' little book Major Beliefs of a United Methodist.

I would say above all else the Cross represents not a terrible tragedy of Jesus who got caught and "strung up." It represents God's love for a sinful world. Here are some further thoughts about the Cross, six of them to be exact.

  1.  God saw human need. He loved us so much he died for us. It was meant to get our attention and it did. Death is so final. Jesus died on that Tree for us, for love.

  2.  God takes our sin seriously. I'm glad 'cause we don't. Sin breaks up life and separates people. It hurts us and others. It leaves lots of damage and ruins. Forgiving love binds us to him. God wanted us made whole again.

  3.  God did something for us we could not do or fix for ourselves. We just cannot wash sin out of our hair. In common usage, we are addicted to our own sins. God loves us so much God wants to fix us.

  4.  The Cross means there are no limits to God's love. Don't you wish we could be that way with our family and our friends?

  5.  God suffered to give life to us. You know, like our parents suffered behind our backs so we'd get those advantages we all got…and we thought we deserved!

  6.   God showed us more of himself on the Cross than anywhere in the Bible. You might say it is the core of who is God….the suffering servant.

As we continue through this Lenten season gaze upon the Cross wherever you may see it in your worship and travels. Remember God did something on that Cross that tried to make life not only better but eternal. Thanks be to God!

            John LeGault