Groom, Texas has little meaning to those with their cruise set at 85 mph on
I-40. East of Amarillo, west of Shamrock, and miles from nowhere, Groom sits
among the fields of hay and cattle. But one thing gives Groom a beckoning to
those going through, the cross. Billed as the world’s largest cross, like its
sister in Effingham, Illinois, it can be seen for miles in any direction,
somehow calling out to those with a heart after God. And many who don’t yet.
Over the years I have stopped by many times and seen where the owner has added
the 13 steps of Jesus, and even a small store. To the religious it tells of
Jesus, to the non-believer it is just another attraction, but attract it does.
Even today, 2000 years after the death of Jesus on the cross, his message still
calls out to a lost and dying world. And on one special stop, the message went
deeper to the heart.....
It was September of 2006, on our Torches Across America ride, a secular
ride to honor the memory of those killed on 911, and to honor first responders.
After a night in Amarillo, and dinner at the Big Texan, we headed off east to
Tulsa, the cross not part of the ride. But a group of us stopped, and for the
next hour saw the last days of Jesus on earth come alive. From his trial to
carrying his cross, to being nailed on it, his death, and finally the empty
tomb, complete with the folded head cover, I was able to walk the group through
each display. That morning the statues seemed to come alive, even to tears on
the misty morning in Jesus’ eyes, with the secular riders mesmerized by the
truth of his crucifixion. Each step tearing at the heart even more, until his
death. Where most stories would end sadly, but not the gospel. For three days
later just as he said he would, Jesus resurrected himself, leaving an empty tomb
where his body had been lain. With only an angel to tell John, Peter, and Mary
that the one you seek is no longer here, but has gone to heaven as he promised.
His final message that if we believe we too will be resurrected in death, in
fact never seeing death, but living eternally. A short 45 minutes spent at the
Crossroads, where when hearing the gospel and seeing it up close and personal,
you cannot deny it, and it calls for a decision in your life as to who Jesus
is.
Today many find it fashionable to wear a cross around their necks,
religious or not. They don not comprehend the impact of the cross, and what it
means, or what it meant 2000 years ago. A place of death, punishment, ridicule
and humiliation, a place that no one would want to celebrate. Today it would be
like wearing a hang man’s noose around your neck, bad humor, sick humor. Think
of driving by a church and seeing a scaffold set up, the same effect 2000 years
ago regarding the cross. But the cross is more than a religious symbol, it cuts
to the heart of man, and of who Jesus was, why he came, and why he is the only
way. In no other name can you be saved. There are certain facts concerning
Jesus that cannot be refuted, he was born a man, died on the cross, and was
buried. The Romans so afraid of his body being stolen, they rolled a huge stone
in front of it, and posted 100 men to guard it. Best of the best, special
forces troops, where if one failed, all were executed. Yet somehow despite all
the provisions made, the stone was found picked up and thrown, the tomb found
empty. And the message of the cross takes on a new special meaning, for out of
his death we can have life. No other religious symbol can promise so much and
point to the only one who can deliver. Such is the power of the cross, and why
when confronted with its message, we are called to make a decision.
But to those who are perishing it is foolishness. It is absurd to think of
it as more than a legend or a saga passed down via the church. But to those who
believe, it represents life and forgiveness. It is the symbol of Jesus and how
all the blessings of God can be released in our lives. It represents rescue
from sin, and the peace and joy only found in the spirit. Once encountered, you
will never be the same. The spirit still calls today, and in every person’s
life he will ask “who do you say Jesus is?” When a friend asked “how will I
know, or when will it happen?” I could only answer “you’ll know. It could be
today, tomorrow or even right now.” For today is the day of salvation....to us
it represents the power of God unleashed through Jesus to a lost a dying world.
Through Adam sin entered the world, through Jesus you can escape it.
It is not the size of the cross, but the size of your God. We serve many
gods, only God can create life, and give it life. Abundantly. Adding joy,
peace, and love. When I look at the cross, I see love dying for me, giving me a
chance to know God personally, to be rescued from hell. I can face tomorrow
because he has given me a today, along with a hope and a future. Because he
lives, I can face tomorrow. For some it is a trinket around the neck, to Jesus
it meant everything. What it means to you will have eternal
consequences.....funny how we set out on Torches to honor the dead, and ended up
at the Crossroads, honoring the living. Jesus and patriotism, go hand in hand.
But that one day at the cross will always make the difference. When will yours
be?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com