A Challenge From The Cross

It is written in John 19:26-27 "When Jesus saw His mother there, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, "Dear woman, here is your son." and to the disciple, "Here is your mother."

Jesus knew that day as he was agonizing on the Cross that YOU would be born and that YOU would be one of His followers. He loved YOU then as He loved John. He hung on that cross for YOU and for the rest of His beloved. So the challenge is this:
Who is it that Christ has put 'nearby' to you that He wants you to care for at the foot of His Cross?

Maybe it's someone who is in pain. Maybe a friend, a family member, a co-worker. A lonely or difficult person who you realize, when you look beyond their outward facade, truly needs His love.

Listen as Jesus says YOUR name from the Cross . . .
Dear _____, here is _____, your friend.

Just give them Jesus. All it takes is a moment of your time. A smile, free of charge. An interested ear. Yourself. Then, as they see Jesus in you, they will be drawn to His Cross. In your kindness and love they will hear you say 'Come see who it is that lives within me' for He wants to love you too.

As you gather at His Cross today, please accept this challenge as your own.

Father, may it be so . . . for we come to you with the heartfelt desire to help others to know your love, in the name that is above all names, Jesus, our Savior.
Amen and Amen.
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