Monday, March 23, 2026
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. John 19:25-27 CSB
How The Cross Changes Everything
Sunday Pastor Jim began a short Easter series called Risen, through which we will discover how the cross, burial, and resurrection of Jesus have changed history and can change our lives forever. Our key truth is Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the tomb provide hope and life to all who believe. In this first message Pastor Jim spoke about three people who were at the cross the day Jesus was crucified. They wept at his feet as he suffered and died, and the cross changed everything for them.
The Cross is a Place of Redemption – Mary Magdalene
Mary was a woman who was possessed by demons before she met Jesus and was healed. Because of her past, she might be the least likely person you might expect to find at the foot of the cross, but the cross is a place of redemption for all – no matter your past. Jesus had already healed her, and she was living out the testimony of a changed life. Now she would personally witness the greatest sacrifice ever as Jesus gave his life to redeem us all and give us eternal life.
The Cross is a Place of Relationship – Mary, Mother of Jesus
Jesus’ mother, Mary, was at the foot of the cross as her son’s life was sacrificed for the sins of the world. As Jesus saw her there, along with the disciple he loved, John, he made a provision for his mother through her relationship with John. He asked John to take care of his mother, and he did for the rest of her life. He provided for his mother when he knew that she couldn’t provide for herself. Just as he provided for his mother when she could not for herself, he provides for us by bringing us back into right relationship with God through redemption. We cannot do that for ourselves – only the shed blood of Jesus justifies us before God. Through him we are also brought into right relationships with others, and as believers through our relationship with Jesus Christ, we become members of a new family – the family of God.
The Cross is a Place of Responsibility – John
Jesus gave John a responsibility to care for his mother in his absence. He asked John to take his place in caring for his mother just as he asks us to take his place and be his hands and feet in this world. We represent him and our lives are a living testimony of his redemption. Everything we say and do is to point others to him and glorify him.
What does the cross mean and how does it change everything for us?
The cross changes everything for us because when we are saved, everything about us should change – our words, deeds, thoughts, and actions. We still fight the flesh but the cross provides a transformative relationship with God and brings us abundant life in him. Our whole lives revolve in and around him.
Like it did that day for Mary Magdalene, Jesus’ mother, and John, the cross changes everything for us as well. It means redemption for us just as it did for a woman who used to be possessed by evil spirits. She was redeemed, healed, and with Jesus as he laid down his life for her to have eternal life. The cross means we are brought into a right relationship with God. We are justified and able to be in a relationship with him because of the atonement paid for on the cross by Jesus. The cross means responsibility for us just as it did for John that day. We are all to take Jesus’ place as his disciples - to go and make disciples and to show the world the love of Jesus. We have a responsibility as his disciples to carry on his work here on earth so everyone can know of his mercy, redemption, and love.
When is the last time you thought about what God has done for you – both on the cross and in other areas of your life?
Have you been to the foot of the cross, confessed, repented, believed, and received his gift of salvation and eternal life? If not, don’t wait another day. If you need to speak to someone about this please call the office of North Side Baptist Church and we will walk with you through a decision to follow Jesus.
