Awhile back, my wife was talking to an 8 year old girl who had almost no exposure to Jesus. Her parents had not taken her to church nor had they taught her at home.
As Nancy visited, the subject of church arose and the girl asked, “Why do churches have plus signs on top of them?” It took Nancy a bit to figure out what she meant but then realized she was referring to the cross! Sadly this girl had no clue what the greatest symbol in the world stands for and yet her question illustrates perfectly what that symbol does.
Before we share some of what Jesus’ cross adds to our lives, let’s understand that no child or adult 2000 years ago would ever have mistaken a cross for a plus sign. Having witnessed horrific crucifixions, they would never think that crosses added anything but pain to a person’s life. Indeed, one added a ton of it to Jesus’ life.
Crucifixion was invented and perfected to inflict maximum suffering. In Jesus’ case, add the spiritual, emotional, and mental weight of every human sin ever committed and His agony explodes exponentially. For Jesus, the cross was the biggest minus sign ever.
But in God’s typical method, He took what was designed for evil and turned it into gain. Ultimately, Jesus’ sacrifice on this instrument of cruel torture supplied the energy to transform every other speck of suffering and leave behind enormous positives. Because of Jesus’ cross, God adds much to our lives!
Jesus’ cross adds new life and a chance to begin again! Those who accept Him as Savior are reborn and it feels so good to be free of sin! While Jesus’ cross subtracts our iniquity, it adds righteousness and holiness in its place.
In 1 Peter 1:3-9, we are told that we are born into a living hope with an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. No sickness, disease, or death. No grief, heartache or tears. Jesus has subtracted all these from our futures and instead added joy unspeakable, delight in abundance, and pleasure beyond measure!
Peter tells us that God provides protection to His children through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus’ cross and that we are shielded by God’s power! What a blessing it is to know that the most powerful Being in the universe has our backs!
Peter tells us about another value added benefit in verse 8 where he writes, “You are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy!” Not in future heaven, but right now, as we wait expectantly for Jesus, we have joy! This doesn’t mean all will be unicorns and rainbows, but beneath it all, there is a current of joy moving us, life the Gulf Stream, ever closer to God’s harbor. There may be storms on the surface of life’s sea, but the destination as well as our Captain make it all endurable and even enjoyable.
In Romans 5, Paul tells us that because of Jesus’ cross, we receive peace with God and access to His glorious grace! He reminds us that God adds the Holy Spirit to each believer providing God’s power, wisdom, and presence, and verse 5 tells us God has poured His great love into our hearts to boot!
Many passages list other benefits that Jesus’ cross adds to believers’ lives including a church family for encouragement, love, and support. In 1 Timothy 6:17, Paul summarizes with “God … richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” How’s that for a gigantic plus sign?
So this little girl’s question was spot on. We’re now praying that she and all other children and adults will come to receive all that God adds through Jesus’ cross by accepting the One who was crucified on it as their own Savior, for only then are these benefits added. If you never have, kneel before Jesus’ plus sign and receive God’s benefit package today. Blessings, George