Reflect, today, on the Cross of Christ, spend some time looking at the crucifix

And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so the Son of man must be lifted up, so that whoever believes in him may have eternal life ”. John 3: 14-15

What a glorious holiday we celebrate today! It is the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross!

Does the Cross really make sense? If we could separate ourselves from all that we have learned about the Cross of Christ and look at it only from a secular and historical perspective, the Cross is a sign of great tragedy. It is connected with the story of a man who became very popular with many, but was vehemently hated by others. Eventually, those who hated this man staged His brutal crucifixion. So, from a purely secular point of view, the Cross is a horrible thing.

But Christians do not see the Cross from a secular point of view. We see it from the divine perspective. We see Jesus lifted up on the Cross for all to see. We see him using horrible suffering to eliminate suffering forever. We see him using death to destroy death itself. Eventually, we see Jesus becoming victorious on that Cross and, therefore, we forever see the Cross as an exalted and glorious throne!

Moses' actions in the wilderness foreshadowed the Cross. Many people were dying of snake bites. Therefore, God told Moses to raise the image of a snake on a pole so that all who saw it would be healed. And that's exactly what happened. Ironically, the snake brought life instead of death!

Suffering manifests itself in our life in various ways. Perhaps for some it is daily aches and pains due to poor health, and for others it can be on a much deeper level, such as emotional, personal, relational or spiritual. Sin, in fact, is the cause of the greatest suffering, so those who struggle deeply with sin in their life suffer deeply for that sin.

So what is Jesus' answer? His answer is to turn our gaze to his cross. We must look at him in his misery and suffering and, in that gaze, we are called to see victory with faith. We are called to know that God brings out the good from all things, even from our suffering. The Father transformed the world forever through the suffering and death of his only Son. He also wants to transform us into our crosses.

Reflect today on the Cross of Christ. Spend some time looking at the crucifix. See in that crucifix the answer to your daily struggles. Jesus is close to those who suffer and his strength is available to all who believe in him.

Lord, help me to look at the Cross. Help me experience a taste of Your ultimate victory in Your sufferings. May I be strengthened and healed as I look at You. Jesus, I trust in You.