The Power of the Cross

When the death of others sharpens our focus on Jesus | Lenten Journey 2025 | Jesus Christ | Christianity

Mar 23, 2025

Featured image credit: YouVersion - The Power of the Cross - Bible.com

If you’re a not-yet follower of Jesus Christ, please come along on this journey with us. You are welcome here.

And, I invite you to read my series on the book “What Does God Want?”.

Lent 2025: Week 1 | Lent 2025: Week 2 | Lent 2025: Week 3 | Lent 2025: Week 4 | Lent 2025: Week 5

Hope Despite Death

During this year’s Lenten journey Night Owl Christian is focusing on who we are and Whose we are in light of the resurrected, victorious Son of God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As you know, we’re commemorating Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem, to the cross, and what all of this means.

Tragedies and Focus

This month, I’ve taken comfort in the power of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection due to the tragic, untimely, and heart breaking deaths of two beloved and faithful Jesus followers. One I was acquainted with; she had been a friend of mine in high school and a vital part of my growth in Jesus as a teenager. She dedicated her entire life to serving Jesus in full-time ministry. Last week, an infection overtook her body suddenly and she died quickly. Shock at the loss of her cannot describe how everyone is feeling, especially those closest to her.

The other believer was a very popular YouTuber, a young man who explored our beautiful wild lands in remote areas of the desert Southwest. His videos were my “television” as he took us viewers to ancient pueblos rarely seen by the general public. [Desert Drifter channel] On January 31^st, he was critically injured while stopped at a red light and only a few minutes from his home and his wife. The van driver who crashed into the vehicle was under the influence, and was clocked speeding at 80 to 100 miles per hour in a 35 mph zone. The YouTuber’s family had life support removed on March 4^th, and he died over an hour later surrounded by prayers, hymns, and worship songs. The van driver now faces vehicular manslaughter charges.

Tragedies cause us to focus on what’s most important.

These two Jesus followers, upon their final earthly breath, both found themselves in the amazing, loving, and glorious presence of our Lord God.

Their loved ones are “gutted”, grieving hard, but they share that they’re grieving with hope.

Hope in the face of death and grief because of the comforting truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, only made possible by the journey He walked toward the cross.

A journey we commemorate, and meditate on, until Resurrection Sunday.

Whose We Are: Jesus Is Hope

Jesus is hope incarnate. He is the fulfillment of God’s salvation promises. Through Him we look forward to eternal life with God for Jesus is also our peacemaker, reconciling us to the Father. Through the cross, He defeated the reign the spiritual principalities and the authorities in this world have had on us. Jesus is now our rightful King.

Jesus is our hope
Jesus is our peace
Jesus is our victorious King

This is Who has you. This is Whose you are.

Who We Are: Ambassadors of His Hope

Jesus is hope incarnate, our hope. Jesus transforms us. We are crucified with Him and we no longer live but He lives in us. We now represent God’s kingdom of hope to those around us. We are special envoys. We are Ambassadors of Hope in a lost world that’s desperate for something, someone, that will give them the hope they desire.

These verses provide a beautiful summary of Whose we are and who we are:

Colossians 2:6-15 (BSB)
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form. 10 And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
11 In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands. 12 And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.
13 When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses, 14 having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross! 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Amen!

Your Turn

Dear readers, if any of the verses stood out to you, take time now to pray those verses and ask our Lord to show you His wisdom for you.

Also, what are you dealing with currently? Struggles? Grief? You’re in the company of many. As you feel comfortable, feel free to share so we can pray for you.

Or, are you dealing with blessings after a long, hard season in the wilderness? It’s okay for you to relax, receive God’s blessings, and live in the hope of the new circumstances He’s bringing your way. Embrace this new season and share God’s hope with others.

Maranatha, come Lord Jesus.

Soli Deo Gloria!

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