Hebrews 12:2 – Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NKJV)

It was October 1968 during my first year of training towards ordination that a group of us men invaded the home of a saintly eighty-year-old lady for the purpose of encouraging her in her faith by having what was then called a Cottage Meeting with her.

She was gleeful as she sang along with us to the music of an accordion. After a short sermon, centred on the cross, we sang my favourite hymn, written by Fanny Crosby:

Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain;
Free to all — a healing stream —
Flows from Calv'ry's mountain.

When we finished singing and had a closing prayer, she raised both hands over her heart and announced in a quivering but very intelligible voice, "Young men, please remember. Always stay near the cross, because the devil is afraid of the cross." That proclamation has never left me, even after fifty-six years.

We left her that day committed to conquering the world for Jesus, all because of the cross. My personal awareness of the significance and meaning of the cross exploded into overdrive. My favourite preacher at that time was Billy Graham. It is said that he once attributed the large number of responses in his crusades to the one central theme of his sermons: the Lord Jesus Christ and the power of the cross.

If we had lived in Jerusalem on the day of Christ's crucifixion, I wonder how near we would have been to the cross. Little did I realize that in my eightieth year, I would be spiritually, figuratively, and even physically near the cross. Let me explain.

From a window in the suite where my wife and I live, we can see a large cross about 100 metres away atop the church next door. During the day when the sun is shining, it appears to reflect that bright light, and all is well. When night comes, the spotlights beneath the cross illuminate it so that it becomes a source of comfort and reassurance in the darkness which surrounds it. As I am looking at it now, I have to repeat, "Jesus, keep me near the cross!"

How near are we to the cross today, to the crucified Christ? Our nearness to the cross will be evident to those who see and hear us. It will be reflected in how we react to what is happening around us and what we do each day of our lives.

Prayer:

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o'er me.

Amen!