The Beautiful, Terrible Cross

This is a post from a little over a year ago.

I think it is quite fitting to re-post during this holy week...

...the story of the cross is ever fresh and new.

So I'm sharing this today on Stephanie's Roses of Inspiration link-up.

~

And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 

~Matthew 10:38

It stands high on a hill in the center of a cemetery. 

I have lived here for nearly 22 years and had never seen it until a couple of weeks ago. 

Like many of us do, I went out driving around looking for some beauty to uncover. 

I was following the sunset in hopes of capturing it before it was gone.

In the direct path of the setting sun, I followed an unfamiliar road up a hill,
 and into the entrance of a cemetery
where there was a paved, narrow road along it's circular perimeter. 

As I followed it, I kept looking to my right, trying to get a glimpse of the waning sunset. 

After a few minutes, I stopped my car and got out, still looking towards the west. 

By then, the clouds that had been predicted had moved in and it was nearly dusk.

I had missed my opportunity.

I turned to get back in my car and it was at that moment that I noticed it.
It had been on the opposite side of where I had been looking the entire time...
...and as I turned around, there it stood, right in front of me. 

From where I was standing, it didn't look that tall. 

I started walking towards it and the closer I got, the taller it became. 

It was at least 25 or 30 feet high by the time I reached the base. 

It was a glorious but also sobering sight as I stood in awe of the huge stone cross, 

looking up, with the then dark and cloudy sky swirling as a backdrop. 

I was immediately reminded of what that day must have been like when Jesus was crucified. 

It was a beautiful sight.

 It was a terrible sight.

Beautiful, because of the sacrifice that was made all because God loves us so much—

our sins forgiven forever by this one moment in time. 

Terrible, because of the pain and torture that Jesus, our Lord had to endure 

to accomplish His Father's will.

 Beautiful Terrible Cross 

~by Selah

There is a beautiful terrible cross
Where though You committed no sin
Savior, You suffered the most wicked fate
On the cruelest creation of men

Yet on that beautiful terrible cross
You did what only You could
Turning that dark inspired evil of hell
Into our soul's greatest good

We see the love that You showed us
We see the life that You lost
We bow in wonder and praise You
For the beautiful terrible cross

There on that beautiful terrible cross
Though darkness was strong on that hill
You remained sovereign, Lord, still in control
As Your perfect plan was fulfilled

We see the love that You showed us
We see the life that You lost
We bow in wonder and praise You
For the beautiful terrible cross

Oh, we gained the riches of Heaven
Jesus, You paid the horrible cost
We stand forgiven and praise You
For the beautiful terrible cross
For the beautiful terrible cross

In the cross, in the cross
Be my glory ever
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river

Beautiful cross
Terrible cross
Beautiful cross
Terrible cross

I went back to the cemetery last evening. 
The sun was just beginning to set.

 "...the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, 

but to us who are saved it is the power of God." 

~1 Corinthians 1:18

May your week be blessed, sweet friends.