THE CROSS AND THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

                                                                                                        

Pastor Rick Jackson

In New York harbor stands a lady who weighs 225 tons, more than 45 full grown elephants. Her right arm stretches more than 4 stories above her shoulder and her fingers are approximately 8' long. In 1986 she celebrated her 100th birthday making her 133 in 2019. Of course, we are referring to one of our national treasures and symbols... the Statue of Liberty!

Almost 2000 years ago on the hill called Mt. Calvary stood a cross. On that cross was a man with the sin of the world upon Him. Not just the sin of the people of His day but the sin of all mankind stretching back to Adam & Eve and stretching forward to all those yet to be born. His open arms stretch from East to West and from North to South with bands of love. His fingers point to each heart saying, "I love you, I died for you, I rose for you, I will save you if you will only trust in me." Whereas once the cross was a symbol of fear the cross has become a symbol of the life which only Jesus can provide.

These two symbols, the Statue of Liberty and the Cross of Calvary have a lot in common. Think first of all of the:

I. SYMBOLISM & SUBSTANCE

1. They speak of Friendship [Rm. 8:7, Eph. 2:15-16]

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

2. They speak of Freedom [Rm. 5:15, 6:18-22; Gal. 5:1]

But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. ...Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

3. They speak of Faith [Acts 20:21,  Rm. 3:21-22]

Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

II. NAMES AND NUANCES

1. "Miss Liberty" [Lk. 4:18]

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised

2. "The Mother of Exiles" [Jn. 4:42, Is. 9:6]

And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

3. "Liberty Enlightening the World" [Jn. 1:4-5, 9-10, 8:12]

In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. ...That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. ... Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

III. INSCRIPTIONS & INVITATIONS

In 1883 a young Jewish woman wrote a poem about the Statue of Liberty called "The New Colossus" which said in part:

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost, to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Almost 2000 years ago a young Jewish prophet said,

Mt. 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Jn. 6:35-40 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

WITH JESUS AS MY SAVIOUR THE CROSS IS MY STATUE OF LIBERTY!