[499 words]
A friend of mine used this phrase as I departed his place of business. The first time I heard it, I reflected on my life in relation to the cross.
To think about the cross or mentioning our living at its foot is not saying anything about the cross itself. The two wooden beams meant nothing. The emphasis, of course, is on Jesus who hung on the cross. Peter puts it this way: “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed” (1 Pet 2:24 NKJV).
Living at the foot of the cross would cause us to reflect on the fact that Christ was on that cross bearing the sins of mankind. He did it for me. If I was the only person who ever lived, I am convinced He still would have done it. It was in God’s eternal plan (Eph. 3:8,9)
Living our life at the foot of the cross means we consider what Christ did and how it applies to my life. The writer of Hebrews suggest we look at what Christ did on the cross and his attitude toward his suffering: “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls” ( Heb 12:2,3 NKJV). The joy is not in His suffering, but in its outcome—the salvation of all men. Paul elaborates in Phil. 2:5-11 as he begins that section of Scripture with the phrase, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5).
Living at the foot of the cross means we are focused on Christ. There were three crosses on Calvary. Jesus was on the middle cross. There may be some significance to that. The eyes of those watching the crucifixion would have been on that middle cross. Paul further encourages us by writing, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col.3:1,2). He is no longer on the cross, but at the right hand of Father ruling over His kingdom.
Looking up from the foot of the cross would cause us to put our lives in the proper perspective and live our lives Christ centered and Christ based.
Are you living at the foot of the Christ and thinking about your life and you relationship with Him? If not, start today to live at the foot of the cross and put to death daily those things that will prevent us from be with Christ one day.
Bill Brandstatter