The Cross is Personal

While studying Corinthians, the women attending Global Coffee Break at Trinity CRC talked about Jesus' sacrifice on the cross—and I was struck by how much the cross factored into their verbal expressions of faith.

Global Coffee Break is a Resonate Global Mission Bible Study that gives people the tools to read, understand, and dig into what the Bible says and means. Whether you’re familiar with the Bible or have never picked one up before, Global Coffee Break is easy to understand while fostering learning and deep discovery about the Bible and ourselves. Groups meet weekly around the world and encourage asking questions, sharing observations, and experiencing God’s love in a small, casual setting.

“Do you really focus on the cross that much?” I asked, sharing that sometimes I preferred to focus on love, or Jesus’s teachings, or Psalms of praise. The cross can be a challenging symbol to believers and non-believers alike.

What emerged was a deep love, appreciation, and beautiful faith in Jesus as their powerful testimonies revealed why the cross should never be far from our thoughts.

“The cross proves how much we are loved…Jesus died for us!” said one lady. “The cross is recognition of how great my sins are and how powerful is the need of a sacrifice for those sins,” said another. “That cross tells me Jesus died not just for everyone, but for me. It’s so personal.” Yet another lady said, “The cross gives me hope for those who have died before me, that I will meet them again.” One after another, the women wanted to share how real the cross was to their faith and how it fills them with humble repentance, hope, and love.

The power of the cross came alive that day as the Holy Spirit moved these women to share, with simple words and profound faith, how the cross is a symbol of love from a Saviour who died and rose again for them. 

By Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot, Global Coffee Break Representative in Canada