In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher (tomb). And behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and for fear of him the keepers (guards) did shake, . . . And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here, for he is risen, as he said. Come see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen.

Matt. 28:1-7a KJV

 

The third church I pastored, in New Orleans, was made up of a small group of people who had lost their pastor, who had left the church deeply in debt. I’ll spare details, but over time we bought land and relocated the church to Jefferson Hwy., near the Mississippi River. The vacated church building two blocks from our land came up for sale. After some dedicated folks sacrificed, we were able to buy this long building and move it on to the property. In front of the center section projected out from the long building was the enclosed steps and vestibule. After finally painting the building light gray, we painted the cross, in the center on front, white. We loved the cross and what it represented. Today, forty plus years later, my associate pastor is still pastor. New buildings have replaced the old, but they still preach the cross, the crucifixion, and the resurrection of Christ.

Recently I went for a haircut on Hwy. 55 and saw the sixty foot tall cross near the highway at Andalusia Cemetery and was awe-struck. The Andalusia Ministerial Association will have our annual Sunrise Service at the cross, weather permitting, this Sunday at sunrise. This is a community service for all who worship our Lord. If you have not seen this Christ-honoring symbolic structure, I’m sure you will be amazed and blessed.

Before writing this article, I drove to the Andalusia Cemetery; drove and walked around this beautiful work of art placed by our city, mayor and employees. Our mayor gladly shared, on the phone, his joy and pride in being able to see this wonderful structure completed. I had a private moment beneath this cross before this writing. Thank you, Mayor Earl Johnson and city of Andalusia, for this monumental piece of art. Thank you, Lord, for dying on the cross, making it one, if not the greatest, symbol of all times. The greatest day of my life was the day that the cross became personal in my life. He is risen, indeed, otherwise, we would not respect this great work of art as we should. To know Jesus is to love Jesus; to love Jesus is to serve Him. He died, was buried and, three days later, rose again that we might have forgiveness of sin through His shed blood.