The Cross Was No Accident

September 17, 2009

~Denise Grant

 

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” – John 1:29

 

     My mother, daughter and I used to sing the song, “He Grew the Tree”, in church from time to time. Chuck Lawrence wrote both the lyrics and the music in 1982. It was recorded by Barbara Mandrell and won several Dove awards.

 

HE GREW THE TREE

 

He molded and built, a small lonely hill that He knew would be called Calvary.

Then He made the seed that would grow to be, thorns that would make

His Son bleed.

Then He made a green stem, gave it leaves and then,

gave it sunshine and rain and sheltered it with moss.

He grew the tree, that He knew would be, used to make the Old Rugged Cross.

 

Nothing took His life, with Love He gave it. He was crucified,

on a tree that He created.

With great love for Man, God stayed with His plan –

He grew the tree, so that we might go free.

With tears in His eyes, God looked down through time, saw Him spat upon, rejected and mocked.

 

Still, He grew the tree, that He knew would be, used to make

the Old Rugged Cross.

 

     The cross was not a tragic surprise – at least not to God. Nor was Calvary, a quick response to a world plummeting towards destruction either. The death of the Son of God was anything but unexpected or unplanned.

 

     No, it was a calculated, carefully constructed pre-thought-out plan. From the first blueprint of this universes’ existence - the cross was traced. It was written into the script long before the forbidden fruit touched Eve’s lips.

 

     Jesus was born crucified! From the moment young Jesus became conscious of who He was - He knew what He had to do. The cross became a shadow in the forefront of His every thought.

 

     Think about this for just a moment…….

• He deliberately planted the tree from which His cross would one day be cut and carved.
• He carefully placed the required minerals deep within the earth’s core; from which the very nails would be created.
• And at just the right time in history, He placed Judas the betrayer, in the womb of his mother.
• Christ Himself was the very one who set into motion the political arena that put Pilate into power.
• He did not have to do it – but He did – just for you!

 

     You see – it wasn’t the ropes holding His hands, or the nails spiked into each wrist, that positioned Jesus on the cross - it was you! It wasn’t the soldiers or the angry mob that killed Him – it was His enduring devotion to you.

 

     So, call the cross whatever you want; an act of grace, redemption or martyrdom - but whatever you call it, don’t you dare call it an accident – for it was anything but that.

 

 

Father God,

 

     You didn’t have to do it – but You did.  You knew the only way we could fully know and accept You, was if You came down and dwelt among us. The only way I know to thank You is to live every day of my life, for You. I give myself to You. Mold me and make me, just as You did the tree – to be all You desire for me to be. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Denise Grant - Just "clay" in the Master Potter's hands.

God is the source of my existence. He has become my Lord and my friend. It is He alone who keeps me functioning each day and the absolute only reason I bother to get up in the mornings. I am a precious daughter of the Most High King and I know that I am absolutely worthless without Him! Side by side with the Savior -  ...."I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me". Philippians. 4:13 

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."  2 Chronicles 7:14