He. Him. - The Only Answer That Matters

In a world filled with self-help messages and life improvement strategies, there's one truth that stands above all others: our salvation doesn't depend on what we do, but on what He did. This Memorial Day weekend, as we honor those who sacrificed for our freedom, let's remember the ultimate sacrifice that secured our eternal freedom.

What Does the Cross Really Mean?

The cross isn't just a symbol we wear around our necks or display in our churches. It's the very foundation of our faith and the answer to life's most important question. When asked how we can enter heaven, the only proper answer isn't in the first person ("because I believed" or "because I have faith"), but in the third person: "because He died for me."

We must preach the cross to ourselves every single day we live. Without this daily reminder, we quickly revert to a faith-plus-works mentality, thinking our salvation depends on our performance rather than His sacrifice.

The Scarlet Worm: A Prophetic Picture

In Psalm 22:6, often called the Cross Psalm, Jesus says, "But I am a worm and no man." This wasn't just any worm - it was the scarlet worm or crimson worm. This unique creature would attach itself to wood before dying, and as it gave birth, it would emit a red substance that covered its newborn before dying fixed to the red-splattered wood.

This prophetic picture shows us Jesus on the cross. The blood that splattered the wood was there because of the nails driven through His hands - nails that we drove there through our sin. As Isaiah 49:16 tells us, "I have engraved you on the palms of my hands."

Why Did Jesus Have to Die?

Jesus died because it was the only way to pay for our sins. We don't get to heaven because of what we did - we get to heaven because of what He did. Jesus got what He didn't deserve so we could get what we don't deserve.

Consider the thief on the cross. He had never been in a Bible study, never got baptized, didn't know anything about church membership. Yet when asked on what basis he could enter heaven, his only answer was: "The man on the middle cross said I could come."

What Happens When We Encounter Him?

Throughout Scripture, we see the transformative power of encountering Jesus:

• Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2) - "I was going one way, and then I started going another. And in between was Him."
• Blind Bartimaeus - He cried, "Lord, have mercy on me," and Jesus did.
• The man born blind (John 9) - Jesus said "go wash," and he was healed.
• The Samaritan woman - She asked for living water, and He gave it to her.
• Matthew - Jesus simply said "follow me," and he left his tax collecting business.
• Peter, James, and John - They left their fishing nets to follow Him.

In each case, the only thing that mattered was a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. Not church membership, attendance records, or family background - just Him.

How Should We Respond to His Call?

Jesus is calling today. He stands at the door and knocks, and all we have to do is let Him in. His message is simple: "I was crucified, died and rose again. Follow me."

Mary, Jesus' mother, gave the servants at the wedding in Cana the perfect instruction that applies to us today: "Whatever He says to you, do it." This is our daily calling - to listen for His voice and obey.

What Does It Mean to Live for Him?

When we truly encounter Jesus, life is no longer about us - it's about Him and what He did. The woman who poured expensive oil on Jesus' head did what she could with what she had. Jesus defended her actions, saying she had done a beautiful thing.

God wants us to examine ourselves daily by the cross and what He did for us. Don't throw your life away on temporary things. As Paul warns, those who live for this life alone are miserable and to be pitied.

The old hymn captures this perfectly: "When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride... Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all."

Life Application

This week, commit to preaching the cross to yourself every single day. Start each morning by remembering that your salvation doesn't depend on your performance, but on His sacrifice. When you face challenges, remember that Jesus got what He didn't deserve so you could get what you don't deserve.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I living as if my salvation depends on what I do, or on what He did?
• How can I respond to Jesus' call to "follow me" in my daily decisions?
• What would it look like for me to give Him my "soul, my life, my all"?
• Am I throwing my life away on temporary things, or investing in eternal purposes?

Remember, He is worthy of it all. May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering through how we live our lives. The answer to every spiritual question isn't about us - it's about Him.

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