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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Current Affairs (06/08/12)
Golgotha has cast its irrefutable shadow across a span of over two thousand years. That of a single cross, cut from a tree of God’s own creation which He died upon in the person of Jesus Christ. Trees, created for pleasant shade on hot, sun scorched days and for young boys to climb and build small houses in the crook of their strong gnarled arms. Trees, that when decorated with ice bring out winter’s beauty as much as summer’s thick, lush crown and autumn’s colorful one. Yet when God made one particular tree He knew it would be used to nail His only beloved Son upon. A tree of unimaginable suffering
He was fully aware of as He formed it’s trunk, stretched out it’s roots and crowned it.

Now here we are in 2012 and Jesus, the bearer of it’s horror and the sins of the world, remains the most famous, historical and religious figure that ever lived. Just the mention of the name of Jesus continues to bring out the best or worst in people, either high praise or used as a curse. His cross has cast it’s shadow over the reigns of earthly kings and governments, over civilizations come and gone and over periods of war and of peace throughout the ages. A shadow that stretches over our present day cities, towns and small villages alike. Over every person, over every religion and walk of life, extending it’s very recognizable form all the way to this twenty first century. Although only a dark reflection of it’s mirrored image it is still powerful enough to press down upon and break the way ward heart as well as crush the wisdom of this age, destroy every philosophy contrary to God’s word and every humanistic icon of worldly pursuits.

I believe it cast a shadow over the angels and Heaven itself when God first announced that His Son, King Jesus, was to become the sacrificial lamb for planet Earth since He was the only without fault or blemish. I’m sure they couldn’t understand how One so great as the Creator would choose to become a man and die for one measly planet, a miniscule dot among the innumerable stars in the Universe. His life for the life He formed with His own hands from it’s very dust.

This same shadow, like the ultimatum hanging over a stubborn, rebellious world, makes its mark over the current events of today, political, religious and human alike. How sad and damning it shall be for so many who shake their fists at the sky while they run from it’s cover like evil from a seared conscience. Two ordinary pieces of wood, yet extraordinary for us who have moved from it’s mere shadow to it’s actual splintered base where we traded our sin for salvation and eternal life. Extraordinary for us who have seen beyond its hill of sorrow and suffering to where lies a shining, empty tomb. And like the fiery brightness that led Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land, Jesus the Light of the World leads us today from the grave to the very place He now sits in glory at His Father’s side.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
06/09/12
This is an interesting take on the topic. I enjoyed your thoughts on what the angels were thinking.

You need to make sure you use the correct its. A good way to remember is the apostrophe often takes the place ofa missing letter. Therefore it's is it is. While its means the possessive form of it.

I really enjoyed the speculation of the different uses of trees. I also wonder things like what God was thinking when he made trees. Knowing most of the time the tree would be used for good but sometimes for torment. But even amidst the torment the tree still had a positive use -so that we might live forever with Christ. Very clever.
Catherine Craig
06/13/12
I really liked this. The concept of the shadow of the cross hanging over history is clearly depicted. The mention of Jesus bringing out either good or bad is so true; I've asked more than one person to not to use His Name that way....good points and nicely put.