Life Through the Lens: More than a cross

This post was contributed by Kevin Schrapel.

For thousands of years, stone in various forms was the primary building material.

A “cornerstone” was the first stone set in place at the start of a building’s construction.

This stone determined the directions of the walls for the rest of the building.

The Bible refers to Jesus as “a precious cornerstone, and he who believes in him will not be disappointed” (1 Peter 2:6).

But Jesus does more than set direction; he brings a force of strength and freedom.

Modern building practice centres around the “reinforcing bar”.

The use of this bar brought with it new freedom of building design.

Columns could be more substantial; designers and builders could now include unique, strange and complex angles, features to add new purpose and pleasure to what might have been regular and a bit ho-hum.

For more than 2000 years Jesus and the sacrifice he made by dying on that cross has brought something special and unique to the lives of millions of people.

As the cornerstone, Jesus sets a new starting point for life, a moment where we can again be forgiven our failings and faults and again be children of a loving God.

But that is only the start.

When you let Jesus and his forgiving sacrifice be your cornerstone, setting a new direction in your life, he also brings new strength and possibilities to life – as a rod brings to a building.

Jesus brings strength to face troubles, strength to stand for what is right, strength to support others.

When Jesus is your cornerstone and your strengthening rod, he promises a changed life: love as a gift from God to you and you to others; joy and peace in your life where you never expected it.

He will grow in you an ability to deal with stuff which once drove you crazy.

Kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control will become part of your life as you interact with others: your family, friends, work colleagues, your sports team, wherever you go.

Easter eggs and holidays are fun, but I pray that this Easter the cross of Jesus will take on a much fuller meaning for you and your life into the future.

God bless.

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