Nail it to the cross

This morning was our very favorite kind of morning, a MOPS morning.

Our speaker was the pastor of the church that sponsors our group. He speaks to us a couple of times a year, and I always enjoy his messages. Today, he shared with us the importance of Easter. He read Colossians chapter 2 from The Message, emphasizing these words, "Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped cleaned, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ's Cross."

Even though we know we are forgiven, most Christians continue to live with guilt from past sins. He invited us to let go of the the guilt, to nail it to the cross and leave it there.

He laid a wooden cross on a table, along with nails and hammers. He gave us all slips of paper on which we wrote down that sin that we continue to carry guilt over. One by one, we placed our papers face down on the cross and nailed them to it. How wonderful it felt to whack that nail into place!

When all were finished, he asked us if anyone wanted their sin back, maybe not quite ready to let go of the guilt. No one did. Then, he took the cross away, sins, guilt and all.

What are you holding on to? It is time to let it go. Jesus nailed it to the cross for you. You are forgiven. So live like it.