Attraction of the cross - Spring - XVIII - Chapter 19 (The cross the admiration of the universe)

Required reading
The attraction of the cross by Gardiner Spring (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 19 (The cross the admiration of the universe).

My summary
This week Spring teaches us that the cross is the admiration of the universe, particularly the admiration of angels.

Firstly Spring gives an overview of the Bible's teachings about angels, including their work in the life of Jesus.

Then Spring explains that the angels admire the cross because of:
(i) the facts of the cross themselves;
(ii) the blessings of the cross;
(iii) their personal interest in the consequences of the cross;
(iv) the cross' exhibition of all the perfections of God.

What grabbed me
I liked how Spring turned from angels to the readers at the end of the chapter and exhorted us to admire the cross too: 'Angels are the inhabitants of heaven — the heaven where the Saviour dwells, the heaven of the Bible. Will you, beloved reader, ever dwell in that holy and happy world ? You may, perhaps, imagine that there is somewhere in the universe a place called heaven, where, if you could go, you would of course be happy. Most certainly there is such a place, but it is not impossible that it is a very different place from what you conceive. If you look abroad on the world, and peradventure if you look within your own heart, you will see how differently men feel toward the Cross of Christ from the sacred emotions which animate the bosoms of the angelic hosts. To be fitted for heaven, you must feel an interest in the thoughts, affections, employments, character and society which constitute its blessedness. In heaven, " they are neither married nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God.'' Those who feel no interest in the Cross, are destitute of all those traits of character which assimilate them to angels ; and with their present spirit, next to the world of despair, heaven would be the abode of intense misery to those who take no delight in the wonders of redeeming love. The Cross must become the centre of your joys, it must have all the glory ; and not until you can glory in it with Paul, and delight in it with the angels of God, can you with them come home to Mount Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon your head.'

If you don't admire the cross, you won't enjoy heaven.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 20 (The triumphs of the cross).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.