Feast of the Exaltation of the CrossThe Divine Love revealed by the Cross compels us to refuse to categorize anyone as "other" — it demands that we choose to regard everyone as "us" rather than "them". No matter the cost.
Today, on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, I preached on the Cross as a visceral, unflinching image of God’s passionate love for all people. Like a zen koan, its contemplation is an epiphany of the divine mystery, and demands of us that we love as God loves. I got a bit into countering “penal substitutionary atonement theory” (“God is punishing Jesus instead of you”), and how the Bible is unambiguous that Christ died for the sins of not just believers, but the whole world (1 Jn. 2:2). God loves, and poured his divine life out for, everyone — not just some lucky few. This is fundamental to the message of the Cross. I prepared this message before Charlie Kirk was assassinated, and make no reference to that horrific event. But the Cross is the only answer to this as well. It is the answer for everything. The Divine Love revealed by the Cross compels us to refuse to categorize anyone as "other" — it demands that we choose to regard everyone as "us" rather than "them". No matter the cost.  In case you missed it:This Friday, I shared my new song, “Case Closed”! It’s about the fine art of forgiving and forgetting. I think we all know the rollercoaster of “shaking like men” with folks who are just not not going to hold up their end of the peace deal — how do we justify continually turning the other cheek with repeat offenders? The path of love, I suggest, is absurd, and needs to be embraced as such. Download “Case Closed” here — it’s pay-what-you-will, and your generosity supports not only my music career, but my ministry and my family. Enjoy!
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Sunday, September 14, 2025
Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross
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