What a privilege and honour to be afforded space to conduct a Bible Study on the topic “Transformed by the Cross”. I have heard and read of many men and women, young and mature, who have had experienced their lives being transformed by the cross. I have believed them because I, too, am one who would not still be standing today were it not for the transforming power of the cross of Jesus Christ. It has become our common practise that every year we gather in different places, and in many different forms to celebrate Easter. It is my prayer and hope that readers of this article will join the multitudes of people bearing witness to the world that, even today, lives can be transformed by the cross. “Life is wasted if we do not grasp the glory of the cross, cherish it for the treasure that it is, and cleave to it as the highest price of every pleasure and the deepest comfort in every pain. What was once foolishness – a crucified God – must become our wisdom and our power and our only boast in this world.” (John Piper in his book “Don’t Waste Your Time” published in 2003).
Life is wasted if we do not grasp the glory of the cross…
In this Bible Study I want to share with the reader four people who had had their lives transformed by the cross in different, very difficult and daunting circumstances. The gospel according to John 4:1 – 42 tells a story of a woman who was despised and left to be on her own. She went to the well on her own, at midday, when it was uncommon and against the culture of that society. There she met the Cross – Jesus Christ Himself, and her life was transformed. When she experienced that, she went back to the community which had nothing to do with her, they could not talk with her, they could not help her. It is obvious that she, too, could not to talk to them. But when her life changed, she witnessed to the same community how she was transformed by the cross. After her testimony the whole town came to hear about Jesus and many had their lives transformed too.
… their lives were no longer the same …
Matthew 27:51 – 54 writes about how the centurion (or the commander of the army) and his soldiers were shocked and terrified when the saw the things that happened as Jesus Christ was dying on the cross. And they acclaimed, “He really (some translations say “Surely this Man”) was the Son of God.” Friends, my readers, that is being transformed by the cross! These soldiers were probably the ones who arrested Jesus, (Matt. 26:47 -56) they were probably the ones who beat him up, they stripped him naked, ridiculed him and made a mockery of him (Matt 27:27 – 30). They were probably the ones who held his legs and arms to be nailed on that cross (Luke 23:32 – 36). But, as they stood there watching and seeing the crucified God dying on that cross, their lives were transformed. I believe that their lives were no longer the same there after.
He became a witness to the world that a person can be changed …
Many of the readers will know the story of Saul, the valiant soldier and murderer of disciples of Jesus Christ (Acts 7:58; 8:3). They would be aware of how this violent, sword-happy, blood-thirsty soldier met Jesus (the Cross) Himself on the way to continue his murderous activities (Acts 9:1 -18). From that day on Saul became a different person. His life was transformed by the cross. He became a pillar of faith and an anchor for the followers of the way of the cross. He became the witness to the world that a person can be changed, be transformed by the power of the cross of Jesus Christ (Acts 22:6 -16; 26:12 – 18; Gal. 11 – 24). Paul testifies to the Galatians (2:20) “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God.” That, friends, is being transformed by the cross.
Just over a year ago I was called by a distraught parent who had seen me on a television programme presenting sessions on conflict management and resolutions. His son (a young man of 29 years) was going through some very difficult times – he had become an ‘alien’ at home and in the community; and they (parents) were scared of him. However, on one particular night, the son happened to be sitting in the same room with his parents and they were watching the programme. After some discussions with his parents, he somehow agreed to come and see the pastor. I went to fetch him and brought him to my office. He had been disappointed. He was full of hatred and anger. He had concluded that life is not worth living. He was hearing voices telling him some weird things. He was beginning to entertain the thought of taking someone’s life and commit suicide. We talked and listened to each other for about three hours. We ended with a word of prayer. Just before he left my office, he saw a small book lying on my desk, and asked if he could have it to read. I gave it to him. It was the “The Salvation Army Words of Life” Devotional book – January to April 2022. Some five months later I received a call from the young man, wanting to see me. He came to my office holding a piece of paper with a quote scribbled on it. He asked if I could tell who spoke these words: “God loved all mortally wounded humanity so much that he gave himself by sending his Son, so that our mortal wounds could be transformed into life eternal that begins here and now.” The pastor was taken by surprise and could not tell where those words come from. So, the young man said he read that quote from the devotional book he got from my office (on page 112). He testified to having been transformed. His life had changed. He was getting relieved of his anger and hatred. He had come to realize that God was wounded so that his (young man’s) wounds could be healed. The young man had now found a job in a security company, and was planning on furthering his studies to be a psychologist. Transformed by the cross! When the young man left my office I quickly took another copy of the book and checked the quote. I discovered that it was actually the paraphrased words of Jesus in John 3:16. Poor pastor! Jesus dying on the cross, buried in the tomb, raised from the dead so that our lives may be transformed to live for God, with God, and to serve him. That transformation is still possible even today.
Further readings: 2 Corinthians 3:18; Psalm 51:7 – 10; Ezekiel 36:26; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 1:22 -23; Galatians 5:22.