Pastor Miles McPherson,
The Rock Church, San Diego:

Through the ages the symbol of the cross has defined the difference between Christianity and all other religions. Though there are many religions that characterize man as sinful and imperfect, only Christianity teaches that God himself chose to save us from the penalty of sin through the death of his son Jesus Christ on the cross.

The significance of that message is as relevant to our culture today as it was the day Jesus’ cross was raised. Last I checked, there are still sinful people in this world who need to be saved.

The literal definition of a cross is two lines intersecting at right angles. This is no coincidence. The cross represents the moment where God’s love and grace intersects with the emptiness of our hearts. This is significant for anyone who desires to know what true life is really about.

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Pastor Shawn Mitchell,
New Venture Christian Fellowship, Oceanside:

These are exciting times! With what we’ve been reading recently in the news - be it a “costume malfunction” at a Super Bowl halftime, the end of the grocery strike, or attacks over the sanctity of marriage, the one story and Name that has dominated the news most recently, is Jesus Christ and His sacrificial death on the cross.

The cross is where the answer to man’s greatest needs has always been found. In Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ,” as Jesus is carrying the cross on the way to His death, Mary in desperation cries... “Help me get near Him!”

Those same five words are being expressed in various ways by unprecedented numbers today. Those searching for fulfillment, satisfaction and significance in their lives, find it only one way, by desiring to get near Jesus... in a personal relationship with Him.

As His arms were stretched out on the cross... our Lord’s arms are stretched out today, to all of those who will reach out to Him.

What a God! What a Savior! What a Sacrifice!