"Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." (John 12:31-32)

 

Saints of God, beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, we wish you Christ's richest blessings as we enter the 2014 Christmas season! I trust that you were blessed with family, friends, food and fellowship this Thanksgiving weekend, and that you are basking in the aftermath of a pleasant holiday weekend.

 

I had the opportunity to take the "Are You Ready?" cross to the new Outlet Mall on Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard for some time on Black Friday. I found a crosswalk near the main entrance just east of the I-95 interchange, and watched hundreds of cars pass by while I was there. The weather was chilly, but not a deterrent to the thousands who were coming to take advantage of low prices and bargains.

 

My calling is to preach the gospel of salvation to sinners dead in their trespasses, and to proclaim the glory of God in the Person of Jesus Christ. Usually, I prefer to make those presentations by speaking publicly in venues where there are people gathered. But in this situation, the cross itself serves as the sermon.

 

A silent witness. The cross speaks to the human conscience. Very few people in this country don't recognize it; everyone with the slightest familiarity with the Christmas story knows that it represents the death of the One "who for us men and for our salvation came down from Heaven, was conceived by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. On the third day He rose again, in fulfillment of the Scriptures."  The cross gives our gospel message quickly, explicitly, boldly.

 

A provocative question. "Are you ready?" One gentleman who was walking across Palm Beach Lakes toward the Outlet Mall said he was, but declined to engage in any further conversation.  Others who see the cross will sometimes roll down their window and ask, "Ready for what?" I'll ask them if they're ready to stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account for their lives. Most roll up the window and wait for the light to change, but some actually thank me for the thought.Are you ready to stand before the judgment seat of Christ? Isn't that the purpose of the gospel? To explain to those who are dead in their trespasses and sins that judgment is coming? But our provocative question is always accompanied by a public declaration of good news: that God so loved the world that He sent His Only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life!

 

A comfortable anonymity. Unlike open air preaching, where the preacher is "front and center" boldly proclaiming the Word of God, the cross allows me to stand behind it; I am not seen, but the cross is. Jesus said that when He was "lifted up," He would "draw all people" to Himself. We lift up the cross to draw men to Christ. Those ordained to everlasting life respond to the hope that His death and resurrection engenders, and embrace the cross as their only hope of salvation. He must increase, and I must decrease; this is not a question of introspection or self-examination, but a recognition that Christ must be growing in preeminence in the lives of His followers. 

 I have used the "Are You Ready?" (#AYR) cross at places where there was no place to speak. Sometimes, I'll stand along Northlake Boulevard near the interstate, where hundreds of cars are slowly moving westbound on their way home from work. I have taken the cross to past Pride Fest parades, the annual gathering of homosexuals celebrating sin in Lake Worth. The responses to the cross are at times visceral, at other times encouraging. Many will give me a "thumbs up" or a honk and a wave as they go by; others will yell obscenities and curse. One woman tried to pull the cross down to put a "rainbow wreath" on it while I raised it higher.  Others have mocked and ridiculed it; another woman stood behind me at a parade and held a bright sign that said "Ready to Party!"

 

This is as it should be. The gospel is always provoking a response. The gospel message is an offense to sinners; it reminds them of their judgment. Yet it also serves as a joyful reminder that God Himself "came down from Heaven," to bear our sins in His body on that cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. May the peace of God purchased with His blood on that awful cross continue to provoke a response from sinners dead in their trespasses, reminding them of both the judgment to come and the promise of eternal life to those who will call on His name! 

 

May our LORD richly bless each of you and your families. I am honored to partner with you in the gospel of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ!

 

Soli Deo Gloria! No king but Christ.