The Cross in the Crosshairs

By: American Decency Staff

Earlier this week news broke of a recent video showing “what looks like the largest and most dangerous gathering of al Qaeda in years.” (CNN)

The video features Nasir al-Wuhayshi, described by CNN as “al Qaeda’s crown prince … the No. 2 leader of al Qaeda globally and the head of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.”

Nasir al-Wuhayshi is shown in the video inflaming this large group of fellow terrorists, with the rally cry: “We must eliminate the cross. … The bearer of the cross is America!”

Most news reports have focused on the threat made to America in this video – ignoring the true target of these radical Islamists’ hatred – the cross – Jesus Christ.

Whether or not America is still a “bearer of the cross” is a debate I’ll leave for another time. 

However, this quote – “We must eliminate the cross” – reveals that it’s not freedom, democracy, or our Western ways that incite animosity and violence – it’s the truth of Christ, the Son of God, whose death and resurrection bought our forgiveness and victory over hell and death!

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”  (I Corinthians 1:18)

From the halls of academia to the film studios in Hollywood, from the positions of power in government, to the encampments of al Qaeda – the cross of Christ is not only foolishness – but a threat to those lost in sin.  A threat that “must be eliminated” not only by bombs, but also by legislation, propaganda, ridicule.

However, no matter in what form or intensity the assaults come, the cross of Christ will forever stand – as will we who are sheltered in its shadowed and cleansed by His blood. 

We do not fear those who vainly strive to “eliminate’ the cross; rather we pray for them that they will experience the same mercy and forgiveness which we have received from the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross. 

On this Resurrection Sunday as we celebrate the free gift of salvation and victory over death that was won for us when we were yet enemies of God, may we endeavor all the more to spread the gospel of Christ to those who vainly seek to eliminate that Good News.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

"In Christ Alone"
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2001 Kingsway Thankyou Music

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