24Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

INTRO: We look at the cross and all we see is wood, nails, splinters, etc. There is more to the cross than that. It contains so very much more that can be ours for the searching. We need to look to the cross more that we might be aware of it’s very nature when it comes to our needs that it meets.

Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Luke 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Luke 23:26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

John 19:31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

1 Cor 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Phil 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

So we can see that the cross, or more importantly, the work accomplished on the cross is special to all of us.

For some the cross is a cross of convenience - they only use the cross like a crucifix; something to wear when it suits them.

For others it is only a cross of conviction - they are sad that Christ died on the cross, but will not act upon it for their benefit.

Then there are those for whom the cross is a cross of consternation - they fear the cross because have never approached the Lord there and flee Him and all that He is.

There are many that the cross is a cross of condemnation - because they will not look upon nor act upon the one on the cross.

There are those for whom the cross is a cross of chastisement - they stand self-accused before the Lord.

But there are those for whom the cross is a cross of concern - they are aware of the love God gave on the cross.

And there are those for whom the cross is a cross of capitulation - it is there they surrender their all to the Lord.

There are those too, for whom the cross is a cross of completion - in the Lord and His work are they made whole.

We also see those for whom the cross is a cross of choice - they are thrilled to choose Christ and all that He offers.