--THE GREATER STORY~~

"In those days
Caesar Augustus
issued a decree
that a census
should be taken of
the entire
Roman world."
--(LUKE 2:1)--

--CAESAR AUGUST is remembered as the first and greatest of the Roman emperors. By political skill and military power he eliminated his enemies, expanded the empire, and lifted Rome from the clutter of rundown neighborhoods into a city of marble statues and temples. Adoring Roman citizens referred to Augusts as the divine father and savior of the human race. As his forty-year reign cam to an end, his official last words were, "I found Rome a city of clay but left it a city of marble."

What Augustus didn't know is that he'd been given a supporting role in a bigger story. In the shadow of his reign, the Son of a carpenter was born to reveal something far greater than any Roman military victory, temple, stadium, or palace (LUKE 2:1).

But who could have understood the glory Jesus prayed for on the night His countrymen demanded His crucifixion by Roman executioners? (JOHN 17:4-5). Who could have foreseen the hidden wonder of a sacrifice that would be forever applauded in Heaven and Earth?

It's quite a story. Our God found us chasing foolish dreams and fighting among ourselves. He left us singing together about an old rugged Cross, the Cross Jesus died on for the forgiveness of our sins. ~~

--THE GLORY WE NEED IS THE GLORY OF HIS CROSS. ~~
--ODB/MD-- "The Wondrous Cross"/ Christy Nockels~~

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