The Magnetism of the Cross

John 1:12

John records in his Gospel that before yielding up His Spirit, Jesus said, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). In the Greek this is one word, “accomplished.”

This is perhaps the boldest exclamation mark in all of Scripture. Nothing more to do—finished! Nothing more we can do—accomplished!

Feel the earthquake. See the splitting of the rocks. Notice the darkness. Witness the separation of the veil of the Temple so all may come directly into the presence of God through Jesus. Finished! Accomplished! His task completed. Philip Bliss has penned it eloquently:

Lifted up was He to die;

It is finished! Was his cry!

Now in Heav’n exalted high;

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Magnetic forces are all around us in these days—drugs, alcohol, sexual permissiveness, power plays, the clamor for material things. But the magnetism of the cross pulls men and women from the abyss of sin. This power is triggered by our free will and the surrender of our hearts. He does not violate our freedom to choose.

Jesus speaks of the parish of the cross when He says, “I… will draw all men”

(John 12:32). No geographical limits. No ethnic, racial or socioeconomic barriers. No degree of depravity is beyond Calvary’s drawing power. “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

We too can be His children in this special way. God says, “I created you, but I want to come into your heart and forgive you, and make you a new creature in Christ so that you can know that promise as your personal experience.” Such indescribable suffering and unconditional love requires a response from us. Failure to accept this free and full salvation is like making a visit as nothing but a disinterested tourist to that hill in Jerusalem, allowing all the distractions to claim our attention, thus missing the real purpose of the cross.

At the center of The Salvation Army’s crest is the cross, pointing people to the Savior who died upon it. It also symbolizes that all of our service rendered around the world is done in the name and servanthood of Christ.

Robert A. Watson, The War Cry