At a youth retreat, the...
Illustration
At a youth retreat, the young people were gathered around a large cross that stood on a hill at a church camp. The youth leader said to the young people, "Look at the cross and ask yourself, what does the cross mean to me?" He gave the youth about five minutes to think on this subject, and then he gave them an opportunity to answer the question. A number of students spoke up and told the group what the cross meant to them. After a number of youth had answered the question, one young girl spoke up and said, "You ask, 'what does the cross mean to me?' It means absolutely nothing to me." As you look at the cross, what do you see? When I look at the cross I am reminded of two things. First, when I look at the cross I am reminded that our Lord and Savior Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world. Second, when I look at the cross I see my cross. Jesus once said, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24) Paul tells us that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. What does the cross mean to you? -- Frank
