October 30

The Timeless Cross

how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God! — Heb 9:14 BSB

What is the meaning of the word eternal? Too often it is mistaken for everlasting, but the two words convey different meanings. Everlasting speaks of endless time, while eternal refers to a quality of existence that transcends time—it is timeless. The eternal is not bound by the succession of years. It is the ever-present reality, free from the constraints of past and future. It can only be truly applied to God, the great I AM, because He exists in the eternal now. He never was, nor will be, anything other than what He is at this very moment. Only that which shares in His nature can be called eternal.

When Scripture says that our Lord offered Himself to God through the Eternal Spirit, we understand that the Cross has this timeless quality. Christ was the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). The Cross of Christ spans all generations, and it is this timelessness that gives it its ongoing power. In a sense, Christ is always being wounded by our transgressions, bruised by our iniquities, chastised for our peace, and bearing the stripes that heal us.

The Cross of Christ stands forever with open arms to welcome every repentant sinner. The nails have not rusted, and the wounds have not dulled in the years since they were driven into His flesh. As we humble ourselves and submit our proud and selfish lives to be crucified with Christ, in the power of the Eternal Spirit, life will flow from our suffering to those we minister to. We can echo the Apostle: “Death works in us, but life in you” (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we bless You for not withholding Yourself from the Cross. By the power of the Eternal Spirit, enable us to surrender our lives to Your will so that Your risen life may be revealed in our mortal flesh. Amen.