From the Cradle to the Cross

Someone has said that salvation began in the Cradle. How true, for when the first man, Adam, turned from God, God never turned His back on mankind. God’s plans from before the foundation of the earth were wrapped in that Cradle.

Charles Wesley knew that the Cross can never be separated from the Cradle when he wrote the classic Christmas hymn:

"Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the new born King,

Peace on Earth, and mercy mild, God and sinner reconciled."

Wesley’s Christmas hymn clearly tells us that all of mankind could be reconciled to God through the child born in that Cradle in Bethlehem. Salvation began in the Cradle. The baby in the manger is the Lamb of God, His sacrificial Lamb.

Every Christmas countless millions around the world are enthralled with the beautiful story of that Bethlehem Baby, his virgin mother, shepherds and angels, stars and wise men. However, the story doesn’t end there, because the child in the Cradle, is also the man who was crucified on the Cross on Golgotha. The Cradle and the Cross cannot be separated

The late United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold said: "How proper it is that Christmas should follow Advent. For him who looks toward the future, the Manger is situated on Golgotha, and the Cross has already been raised in Bethlehem."

Without the cradle, there would have been no Cross. And without the Cross, there would be no forgiveness for our sin, no salvation provided for mankind, and no eternal life with Him. The Cross was His alone, and Jesus willingly and knowingly bore weight of our sin at Calvary so we would no longer have to bear it ourselves.

Please help us share the glorious message of the Cradle, the Cross, and Christ’s resurrection here on Skid Row during this Easter season. You may donate on our secure website, www.fjm.org, or by phoning toll free, 1-844-FJM-FOOD. Or mail your donation to the Mission, PO BOX 12345, Covina, CA 91722.

Blessings,

Willie Jordan

(Mrs. Fred Jordan)