John's Gospel particularly highlights the exaltation of the cross of Jesus. St. John proclaims that the cross is the catalyst for faith leading to eternal life (Jn 3:14-16), and the place where we finally recognize that Jesus is God (Jn 8:28-29).
"They shall look on Him Whom they have pierced" (Jn 19:37). "The centurion who stood guard over Him, on seeing the manner of His death, declared, ‘Clearly this Man was the Son of God!' " (Mk 15:39) When we see Jesus lifted up on the cross, as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, we are drawn to believe and "have eternal life in Him" (Jn 3:14-15; 12:32). St. Paul transformed the most hardened hearts by speaking "of nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (1 Cor 2:2). He proclaimed the Gospel by displaying before the eyes of all Jesus Christ upon the cross (Gal 3:1).
As a subject of King Jesus, you are called to bear a daily cross (Lk 9:23). Do you carry your cross in such a way that it proclaims to everyone that "Jesus Christ is Lord"? (Phil 2:11) You are blessed with the unspeakable privilege of sharing in the victorious cross of King Jesus. Therefore, glory in the cross and carry your cross so as to triumph.
| PRAYER: | King Jesus, grant that I may carry my cross in a way that proclaims You as Victor rather than a heartless taskmaster. |
| PROMISE: | "Yes, God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him may not die but may have eternal life. God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." –Jn 3:16-17 |
| PRAISE: | "We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You, because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world." |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College