The Cross in Bloom

Oh, the wonderful cross!

Many passerbyers read of the freedom in Christ and laid their burdens down at the Cross.  On Easter Sunday, the gloomy cross was in full Bloom reminding us of the freedom, love, and new life found in Jesus.

Experience the freedom to be found at the cross:

For centuries the cross has been a prominent symbol of the church, but why is an executioner’s tool a symbol of freedom and eternal life? The Easter story is a paradoxical one. On the one hand, Jesus was put to death unjustly, having not committed any crime. On the other, Jesus’ mission was completed when he rose from the dead, demonstrating God’s power over death. Without death, there would be no resurrection, and without the resurrection, there would be no conquering of death. Jesus’ resurrection has implications for us today. He said,

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29)

He says that true life is found when we surrender our lives to the Father and practice the ways of the kingdom of God. He invites each one of us to bring our burdens, failures, anxieties, and pain to him and then to walk in the freedom of his resurrection, and in his promise that he will make all things new.

We invite you this Easter to symbolically nail your burdens, anxiety, and pain to the cross of Jesus which is before you:

• Take a slip of paper and write your burden(s) down
• Take the slip of paper to the cross and fold it into the wire

On Easter Sunday we will be filling the cross with flowers representing God’s triumph over death and how, in the midst of difficulties and challenges, Jesus promises us eternal life. Join us on April 4 as this ugly symbol of death gives way to a vision of new life!

Check out more information on the Cross:

The Jesus Story Book Bible: