The Cross Guides Me Home

The Cross Guides Me Home

Christ also suffered when he died for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners that he might bring us safely home to God. –1 Peter 3:18

The day they walked out of a hotel room in Changsha, Hunan, China, with their daughter Shaohannah, their lives were changed forever. Then, a little over two years later at a dedication ceremony for a friend’s adopted daughter from China, Steven Curtis Chapman sensed God speaking to him about adopting again. “I felt God speak to my heart so clearly: This picture you are looking at is a picture of the gospel. I know you have concerns and fears, but if you trust me with these things, I’m inviting you into this adventure again.” Within days they began the adoption process again and soon went on to complete the adoption of their daughter Stevey Joy Ru Chapman. But they still weren’t finished.

The Chapmans’ third daughter from China, Maria, made her debut at my son Matt’s football scrimmage to oohs, ahs, and applause. As I watched Steven and Mary Beth unload the strollers, change diapers, and chase these girls around, I was touched to witness the lengths this family had gone not only to bring these girls out of orphanages in China, but into their home, into their lives, into their hearts. Their desire was not simply to get these girls out of orphanages, but to bring them into their home and make them a part of their family.

It is a beautiful picture of the lengths God has gone to rescue you and me from a lonely life and a fearful death. He was willing not only to take on human flesh, but also to take on your sin and my sin and the sin of the entire world. What would make him, who has no sin of his own, go that far?

He wants to bring us safely home to himself. He wants to dwell with us and in us. He wants to share himself and his home with us. This is the heart of God. And we see it when we look at the Cross. The Cross shows us how far God is willing to go to bring us safely home and make us his own. The home of God is a place of great joy and happiness. There he will parent us with wisdom, care for us with compassion, and give us everything we need. And best of all, he will share that home with us so we can know him. “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever” (Psalm 16:11).

My Rescuer, I look at the Cross and see the lengths you will go to bring me safely home to you. I see what it cost you to take my sin upon yourself, and it shows me where I will always find the love I’m looking for: at home with you.

DIGGING DEEPER