Verse for Meditation:
“‘Go’, said Jesus, ‘your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road” (Mk.10:52).
God sent his son to this world and gave eternal life to men. Through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross men were brought closer to God who was once in hostility with God. Thus cross has become a symbol of reconciliation, forgiveness and love. That is why it is said that Jesus restores the relationships of men with God. In the New Testament the word for cross “stowros” in the Greek language is used 28 times and the verb ‘stourow’ 46 times. The method of hanging criminals on the tree was followed at Egypt (Gen.40:19), Carthage, Persia (Est.7:10), Assur, Greece and Rome. History proves that after conquering the city of Sor, Alexander has ordered to crucify 2000 soldiers who protected the city against him. Slaves and convicts were crucified; none of the Roman citizens were given the capital punishment of crucifixion. During the reign of the Emperor Constantine, hanging on the cross was stopped. During the days of old, criminals were hanged on a tree after assassinating them. (Deut.21:22, Num.25:4). As a warning to others, the dead bodies were hanged on the tree (Deut. 21, 22, 23; Jos.10:26, Gl3:13).
Paul is of the opinion that though the cross is a matter of insult to the world, at the sight of the Christians it has become precious and holy (1Cor.1:18). The cross has become the symbol of reconciliation (2Cor.5:19, Eph.2:14-16). Let us observe some other aspects of the cross also.
A symbol of unity. Through the cross God has reconciled the universe and everything to himself and made peace (Colo. 1:20). Paul says, “having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it way, nailing it to the cross” (Col.2:14).
A Symbol of victory (Col.2:15)
A Symbol of the wisdom of God (1 Col. 1:18,23)
A symbol that changed curse into blessings (Deut 21:23, Gal 3:13)
“When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed” (Ps.126:1).
“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy” (Ps.126:5). “He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him” (Ps.126:6). Here, we see the divine act of restoration of those things that are lost and scattered.
Restoration in the life of Job (Job 42:10-17)
Job lost his health, wealth and relatives. The word of his friends Eliphas, Bildad and Zophar was like throne. The Book of Job talks the story of Job who trusted in God without losing his faith and answers the questions how God has blessed him and restored him. This message is for the believers who pass through sufferings and martyrdom in the Church. “After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10). Through the cross of Christ we have received not only material blessings but beyond that we have received spiritual restoration.
Restoration through the Cross (Eph. 2:1-16)
‘Jesus at the cross’ is the way of salvation that God has predestined to restore the relationship between God and man, the man who has gone astray from God. Christ restored the relationship between God and man through the cross. Thus he has become our “peace”. We who were far from God came so closer to God through the blood of Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:13 -18). God has raised us those who were ‘dead in sin and transgression’ (Eph.2:1). St. Paul taught that by faith in the cross of Christ the sinner will be saved through grace. The cross restores all human relationship with God.
Prayer for Restoration (Mk. 10:56-52)
Blind Bartimaeus who was begging on the road side at Jericho cries out as he knows that Jesus is passing by, “Jesus, Son of David have mercy on me” (10:48). The more he was disciplined his cries for mercy escalated to higher decibels. Jesus heard his cries and restored his sight. The lost sight and light of his blind eyes were restored in a new manner. He began to identity man as man and recognizes human relationships by which he could acknowledge God and His word. To attain such a restoration a cry should come out from within our hearts, “Jesus, Son of David have mercy on me”.
Prayer:
Restoring God, you have released us from all our bondages through your abundant love, forgive our sins and transgressions and restore us to new life. Restore us that me may accept you as our Lord and follow you through faith. We ask this prayer in and through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit world without end, Amen.