David Bryant Mini-Posts / Three-Minute Read
Our Future Foreshadowed by the Shape of the Cross
Who could have imagined it? A poor, homeless outcast—a worthless executed criminal—reigns today as King of the cosmos, Lord of history, Ruler of the nations, Redeemer of sinners, and Head of a new creation!
Consider this inspiring reflection on what seems like a strange disconnect. It comes from an early Church father, Lucius Lactantius (c. 250–c. 325), who became a chief counselor to the Roman emperor Constantine I—as the newly converted ruler repositioned Christianity to become, for the first time, the official religion of the Empire.
This 4th-century Jesus follower’s most important work is called The Divine Institutes, studied for centuries. In it, Lactantius laid out convincing reasons for the pagan world to receive the truths of the gospel—including his take on the revolutionary results of the cross.
About Jesus’ stunning reversal of fortune—crucified as a criminal but resurrected as the Ruler of all!—Lactantius famously declared:
No nation is so uncivilized, no region so remote that either Christ’s passion or the heights of his majesty is unknown.
So, in his suffering, He stretched forth his hand [on the cross] and measured out the world—so that even then he might show that a great multitude (collected out of all languages and tribes, from the rising of the sun even to its setting) was about to come under his wings!
In other words, our future was foreshadowed by the very shape of the Roman cross. It required Jesus’ arms to be opened wide to the world! The passions of Christ made the forgiveness of the Father open to all and the reign of Christ universal.
Our HOPE in Jesus holds meaning—whether for a single believer or for a Christward revival in an entire nation—because the extensive, victorious outcome of the sacrifice of the CROSS holds meaning.
We cannot understand the full extent of our destiny—as well as that of all creation— under the lordship of Jesus apart from understanding the breadth of his sufferings that guarantees that destiny for us.
[He is] the firstborn from among the dead,
so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
and through him to reconcile to himself all things,
whether things on earth or things in heaven,
by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
(Colossians 1:18-20, NIV, emphasis added)
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We hope you enjoyed this mini-blog post!
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About the Author
Over the past 50 years, David Bryant has been defined by many as a “messenger of hope” and a “Christ proclaimer” to the Church throughout the world. Formerly a minister-at-large with the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, president of Concerts of Prayer International (COPI), and chairman of America’s National Prayer Committee, David now provides leadership to ChristNow.com and Proclaim Hope!, whose mission is to foster and serve Christ Awakening movements. Download his widely read ebooks at ChristNow.com. Enjoy hundreds of podcast episodes. Watch his vlogs at David Bryant REPORTS. Meet with David through Zoom or in-person events through David Bryant LIVE!
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