A Piece of Wood
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,” Romans 5:8.
What is the value of wood? What does it mean to you? There are many types of wood that create marvelous works of art, and allow for the construction of beautiful structures. Some types of wood are quite expensive due to their limited availability. Some types are common resulting in a cheaper price, but does not always indicate a lesser value in quality.
It is a tradition of VBS programs to have a “craft” time every night. I remember those times when I was younger. They usually involved a wood project that we were able to shape and make. These items made from wood would not amount to much, but from a young boys perspective they would amount to being almost priceless to me.
Think of a single piece of wood. Just a simple tree, grown for no particular purpose except to be the greatest foundation we will ever know. It would be of no special quality, not more than scrap material, but on it would hang the highest name, the name above all names. This piece of wood would not be carved into a grandiose, magnificent structure. It would simply be cut to create a cross that would become, and still is, the greatest monument ever constructed.
You see, this piece of wood, this cross, was not shaped by human hands, but was set in stone before the foundation of the world. Because of man’s inability to do good, God sent His perfect, sinless Son to die on that cross. This ultimate act of love removed the curse of sin so that we could be saved and sanctified through the remission of sin. Because of that piece of wood, mankind now has the ability to enter God’s presence with Jesus as our Advocate.
This piece of wood was pounded into the ground on top of a hill, who’s meaning was “the place of the skull”. To many this signified death, the final moment of a mistaken life. But because of Jesus who died for you and me on that cross, it signifies life. This life is not mortal, but immortal; not corruptible, but incorruptible. Life everlasting. It was the end, not of life, but of death in sin. It was, and still is finished.
So, to you, what is the price of a piece of wood? To me, it is priceless. A price I could not pay, a penalty I could never accept. But because of Jesus, and His love for us, that price was paid in full, never to be spoken of again. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable love and the price of the cross.
Michael Whitman