If the Cross Should Speak (Poem)
The sermon emphasizes the significance of the cross and its role in bringing salvation to humanity through faith in Christ.
George H. Alquist Jr. reflects on a powerful vision of the cross where the cross, nails, crown of thorns, and tomb speak of their roles in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. The cross laments its inability to free the Son of God, the nails express sorrow for their part in the crucifixion, the crown of thorns shares the horror of piercing Jesus' brow, and the tomb rejoices in Christ's resurrection and offer of salvation. Alquist emphasizes that these inanimate objects played a crucial role in God's plan for salvation, highlighting the importance of faith in Christ for eternal life.
Text
Last Night in prayer
I saw the cross
on which my Savior died.
I asked, "Dear Sir, what was it like?"
Before it spoke, it cried.
"Of all the things I could be made
why was it picked for me
that I should hold the Son of God
not able to set Him free!?
Through tears of grief it broke my heart
with mighty depth of pain
my bark drank in the blood of God
and received that holy stain."
I heard just then the nails cry out
in sorrow and dismay,
"We too were forced an awful role
that dark and gloomy day.
We trembled in the hands of men
while with their mallets grim
they forced the nails through sinless hands
with which to crucify Him."
And at this point the crown gave way
to wails of horror too;
"They took my beauty and formed me round
His beautiful brow pierced through."
They all in chorus raised one voice
with agony profuse,
"Please understand we had no choice
or power to refuse!"
But then the tomb like steeple bell
rang out with great elation,
"I could not keep Him, He rose again
to offer all salvation."
"Dear Friends", I said, "please weep no more
nor linger in despair;
for you were used of God you see
though no one was aware
To bring salvation full and free
by grace through faith in Christ,
and through belief on Jesus' name
the gift of eternal life!"
Sermon Outline
- I. The Cross Speaks
- A. The Cross's Lament
- B. The Nails' Sorrow
- C. The Crown's Horror
- D. The Tomb's Joy
- II. The Purpose of the Cross
- A. To Bring Salvation
- B. Through Faith in Christ
Key Quotes
“Of all the things I could be made, why was it picked for me that I should hold the Son of God not able to set Him free!” — George H. Alquist Jr.
“We too were forced an awful role that dark and gloomy day.” — George H. Alquist Jr.
“I could not keep Him, He rose again to offer all salvation.” — George H. Alquist Jr.
Application Points
- We can find comfort in knowing that we were used by God to bring salvation to others, even if we were unaware of it.
- Faith in Christ is the key to receiving eternal life and salvation.
- Belief in Jesus' name is the gift of eternal life, and it is available to all through grace.