At the heart of trusting God is death.

My human brain has a tough time grasping the idea that it takes death to live.

OK, I get it with the buried seed resulting in the flower—but the Son of God?

Decoration could not be further from the intent of cross design.

The Gospel of John tells the story of the greatest self-sacrifice in all of human history. Systematically, and day by day Jesus moved with purpose toward crucifixion. Living fully human and entirely divine, He knew crucifixion was the only way.

Only by death on the cross could Jesus use His blood to wash over my sin with the Holiness of God.

The cross story will be forever the narrative of Jesus Church. It is only through crucifixion that His Church answers a broken world.

Self-service is a sure road to neutering Jesus’ effectiveness on a dysfunctional planet.

The only way Jesus can work through me is to the degree I submit to the cross. I can’t do it my way.

The body of Jesus cannot do church its way. Only by crucifixion can it exist for the sake of other.

Church without the cross isn’t Jesus church.

Here is what I think.

Without crucifixion, unity within the body of Christ on earth is no more than an elusive dream.

As a member of Christ’s body the most penetrating question I can ask myself is this: “To what extent am I willing to open my hands and receive the nails?”

Stay tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells – Reflection on Cross Church

Gary@GodReflection,org