At the Center

Today in John 19 I read about the cross of Christ.  John 19:17 says, So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.  The cross stands at the center of all we do.  We live because Christ died and now lives.  As He lives, so we shall.  We must die to ourselves to become alive in Him.  You have to die to really live.  You are either born twice or you die twice.  If you are born again in Christ, you will not have to face the second death after your life on earth that leads to eternal condemnation due to  your sins and your rejection of the opportunity of Jesus.  All that we are and all that we have comes back to the cross of Christ.  It identifies the Christian.
It also identifies the Church.  The way Christ lives, we shall also live.  And we shall remember His death (and not get too far from it) until He returns.  It is the key to all we do in ministry. 
My buddy and mentor, Ken Smith, as often used a quote from George McCloud to define his ministry:
 I simply argue that the cross be raised in the middle of the marketplace. For Jesus was not crucified in a church between two candles but on a cross between two thieves. A place so cosmopolitan they had to write his name in 3 languages: Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic. It was the town garbage heap. Where thieves cursed, cynics hurled insults, soldiers gambled. That is where he chose to die and those are the people he chose to die for ... and that is where the church needs to be and those are the people we ought to care for as well.
I would say Amen and I make that my prayer for us today.
Dear Lord today, turn our hearts toward you to live out the Christian life both personally and publicly, both with our families or with strangers. Help us keep the cross at the center of all we do. Only in His Name, Amen.
He died for you.  Live for Him.  Live for our risen Lord today.