The LORD’s Divine Visible Fingerprints
They stood close together away from the crowd. The mother softly speaks with occasional encouragement. For her the sights and sounds, the bellowing dust reaching their nostrils from the constant pounding of travelers’ feet, were not new. For her young offspring all contrasted with what he had come to know as normal. What was happening in their quiet town?
His thoughts wandered back to where he had left off. What is my purpose in life? Is it to labor hard? He thought, “Is that my only purpose? Just work, work and more work?
The crowds grew denser pushing him and his mother further back from the main street where they had been standing that sweltering day. They had no choice but to return to their village. Thankfully, their village was not that far away.
The worries and the stress of the morning burned hotter within him than the heat of the day. He looked forward to peace and rest. Yet, that peace was interrupted by his thoughts of his purpose in life.
Those thoughts would have to wait. Once again, they were interrupted. This time by the words of two men, “The LORD has need of them” (Matthew 21:36).
Moments later, the young colt’s purpose was revealed. Upon his back sat Jesus Christ. Together they made the Lord’s triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. The colt’s purpose that day was to carry the Savior to fulfill His salvation purpose.
The Image of God
The donkey colt on his own could not create such a momentous fulfillment of prophecy (Matthew 21:1-5; Zech. 9:9). But in Christ’s providential plan He proposed the colt for a grand entrance into Jerusalem. Jesus proposed a quiet, frightened colt standing in a crowd of strangers for a preordained plan.
Jesus blessed many people that day. He also blessed a particular breed of donkey. Christ left a divine mark upon this donkey breed’s back for all to see. A cross symbol that remains in their DNA to this very day.
Not Fables and Tall Tales
The donkey was of course not having thoughts about his purpose in life. The donkey’s thoughts are a form of storytelling called anthropomorphism. This is a literary device that assigns human characteristics to nonhuman entities like animals or inanimate objects.
Examples of anthropomorphism can be found in narratives both old and new.
Anthropomorphic characters appear in ancient Greek myths and many of Aesop’s Fables (MWC).
What is not a tall tale or fable is Jesus’s story and how the LORD left His handprint in His creation. The Bible is not a book of creative children’s stories. The Bible is the divine Word of the Creator God (2 Tim. 3:16). The LORD’s salvation cross is a symbol found in the animal kingdom and the natural world He created. Not just donkeys did Christ place his handprint upon.
The Designed Creation and Science – Compelling Evidence
To most people, the world may seem chaotic, unpredictable. However, not to the Creator LORD (Genesis 1). All He has made has purpose. His purposes are unchanging. That is not the case in science. Scientific theories naturally change as previous undiscovered evidence is found.
Repeating patterns in nature, like the arrangement of petals on a flower is just one way the LORD reminds His followers of His presence. His salvation cross appears within the plant kingdom as well. Take for example the Dogwood flower.
The Visible and Now the Invisible
“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.” (Colossians 1:15-16)
Darwin’s theory of evolution challenged the biblical account that the Lord Jesus Christ created all things. The fact is that the LORD spoke ALL into existence (Hebrews 11:13). To eliminate the emotional conflict caused by differing belief systems, some Christians responded by attempting to fit evolution into the Bible (Syncretism).
This syncretism, evolution, and religion are not anywhere to be found in Scripture or science (D. M. Lloyd Jones). Nor does theistic selectionism, a view that God-guided evolution fit with the Biblical account of Creation.
God’s Global Plan for Redemption
Upon the earth God placed humans, a man, and a woman (Genesis 2). God gave them a proposed plan for their lives. The All-knowing Creator God planned for all generations to come.
Each bears the Creator’s design in their DNA. Discovered in 1997, the significance of a molecule, Laminin, was found to have an unusual shape. Documented in the Journal of Cell Biology a cross-like appearance was seen. To Christians this cross-shape is a reminder of Christ’s salvation cross.
The Cell Adhesion Molecule
“Laminin is defined by the Webster Medical Dictionary as a “glycoprotein that is a component of connective tissue basement membrane and that promotes cell adhesion.” In other words, looking at laminin as a kind of glue is not far from the truth. There are several different laminins.”
What is all the fuss over the Cross?
Here are the crucial points to know about the salvation cross:
- There cannot be a salvation doctrine without the cross. Because of sin, the Fall, in the Garden of Eden the cycle of sin had to be stopped (Genesis 3).
- Jesus in obedience to God, the Father offered Himself as the final sacrifice to bring salvation to all of humanity. Divine wisdom is the hallmark of the cross.
- Christ the One and Only Son of God announced from the cross that He, given all authority from God, had opened Heaven eternal. The redeemed, those who have accepted Christ as their personal Savior will live with Him for eternity.
- Accepting Jesus and His new covenant brings to the soul the gift of the Holy Spirit (Jeremiah 31:33-34).
- Christ’s cross work records the debt owed against humanity as paid (Colossians 2:14).
- In one event, on the cross victory over death and eternal life through Christ’s resurrection was won (1 Corinthians 15:54-55)
- The cross represents peace, reconciliation, and unity with the Triune LORD (Ephesians 2:14).
What does the Cross represent to followers of Jesus Christ?
To best answer this question, consider an inspiring real-life example of God’s power in the life of ordinary people. The Bible itself has many examples, people like Moses, David, Rebecca, and Ester.
Kenny Vaughan, founder of Shields of Strength based in Beaumont, TX, on the surface appears to be an ordinary man. However, what is different about him is the divine purposed plan the Lord had for him.
Kenny’s desire was to chase a dream of winning a national championship in water-ski jumping. Water-ski jumping is considered an extreme sport especially in the realm of sports injuries. That dream of winning a national championship eluded him year after year, turning instead into a nightmare from which he could not wake.
You can read his personal story in his best-selling books, The Right Fight. A man of faith, Kenny turned to Jesus for inspiration. His wife Tammie used bible verses painted onto his equipment to encourage him.
Kenny and his wife Tammie live their lives promoting and supporting Christ’s salvation cross. Their popular line of Christian jewelry contains an extensive line of gold cross necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings.
Additionally, since Christ’s followers are found in every occupation, lifestyle and social class, Kenny Vaughn and his design team have created a cross pendant for men and women to encourage themselves and others. The following are just a few of their collection of over 70 different cross pieces of jewelry, each inscribed with Scripture.
Men’s Stainless Steel Flag Cross Necklace – Inscribed with Proverbs 30:5
These men’s American Flag Gold cross necklace is a sincere symbol of faith featuring the stars and stripes of the American flag. For Christian men with a strong sense of patriotic pride, the American flag cross necklace for men is the ideal accessory. It is a thoughtful gift idea for anyone who requires the solace of God’s love and the strength of His words to shield them as they work to protect America and its people.
Shields of Strength Stainless Steel Philippians 4:13 Cross Necklace for Men – Christian Jewelry
The Philippians 4:13 Gold Cross Necklace is a classic design with a shining finish and oval ends. The cross necklace for men is a reminder that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice and died for everyone’s sins. This cross necklace for women is a beautiful piece to wear as a daily reminder of the wonderful gift He gave. On the back of the cross is the inscription of Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” It is an encouraging daily reminder that we can do anything while leaning on the Lord’s strength.
Stainless Steel Maltese Firefighter Cross Necklace- Isaiah 6:8
The men’s stainless steel Maltese Firefighter Cross Necklace for Men is a symbol of protection and a badge of honor. The Maltese Firefighter cross pendant represents the men and women who stand between destructive fires and citizens they protect. The cross symbolizes the brave men and women who are willing to lay their life down for another just as Jesus did for us. A meaningful gift for firefighters and all who support them.
Cross Necklace for Women-Hebrews 11:1
This gorgeous cross necklace is an excellent reminder of the Faith we are to have. It features the word Faith spelled out vertically and makes a cross with the word. Attached to the word Faith is a stainless steel tab that has the Bible verse Hebrews 11:1 on it. This necklace, and other Shields of Strength cross necklaces for women, is a wonderful accessory and a great reminder to keep the Faith!
Women’s Stainless Steel Cross with Crystal Heart-Isaiah 46:4
Draw comfort from the Shields of Strength women’s stainless steel crystal cross heart necklace, and know that in all your endeavors, God is with you. This beautiful piece of Christian jewelry has a heart motif adorned with crystals. The back of the cross features the inscription of Isaiah 46:4.
Women’s Scissors Cross Necklace- Matthew 10:30
Let God lift your spirits, and renew your strength, as you wear the Shields of Strength Women’s Stainless Steel Scissors Cross Necklace. This cross necklace for women was designed for the cosmetologists who love simple yet meaningful jewelry. The tab of the pendant has an inscription from Matthew 10:30 reading, “Even the very hairs of your head are numbered.” This serves as a reminder that we are Fully known and loved by God.