Powerlines

““I know when Jesus died,” five-year-old Joshua exclaimed. “It was when He went to hang the power lines.” Joshua had been shown a picture of Jesus carrying the cross. Since it looked just like the utility poles in his yard, Joshua assumed that Jesus was at work for the electric company. When his Sunday school teacher corrected him, explaining that this was a picture of Jesus on His way to die, Joshua simply combined the ideas: Jesus died when He was hanging power lines. Joshua hit upon an important truth. Jesus’ death and resurrection did establish a powerline for us” (preaching.com).

I’m guessing that most, if not all, of those who viewed the crucifixion of Jesus saw it as a display of powerlessness on his part. An itinerant rabbi from a back-water town in Galilee was learning what happens to those who foolishly dare to challenge the real powers-that-be -- the Jewish Sanhedrin and the Roman Empire. In their minds, the cross was a demoralizing sign of defeat, not a victorious statement of power. Even his own disciples thought it was all over. But, in reality, the cross was a display of the power of God Himself. Note the following:

The cross gave God the opportunity to display His resurrection power. “But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power” (Acts 2:24).

The cross displays God’s power to save sinners. “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

The cross displays God’s power to defeat the devil. “Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil…” (Hebrews 2:14).

The cross was not a humiliating defeat but a powerful victory!

God loves you!

Mike