Bill Harvison

In 1999, an F5 tornado hit the town of Moore, Oklahoma, destroying the town. The town’s entire electrical grid was out. Disaster relief workers needing to be able to communicate to the victims saw that the First Baptist Church of Moore had survived the storm along with the church’s 70-foot tall cross. The responders pointed floodlights at the cross, and then they traveled around the town and began to tell people if they needed help to go to the cross.

The illuminated cross stood as a beacon in the night for all who were in need to come and find help. As the story goes, for months after the tornado, the church building and its parking lot were used to meet the needs of the people and provide them with a place of safety and security. The people of Moore found hope and peace, and received much-needed supplies at the cross. 

Today you can find hope at the cross of Jesus. In John 8:12 Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World.” Jesus brought the light of salvation to the world via the cross. Upon the cross of Calvary, Jesus Christ died for our sins. He didn’t die there to give us food, shelter or clothing. He died to give us hope. The hope of knowing him as our lord and savior, and the hope of knowing that if we confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts we will be saved.

There is no other means to salvation then by believing and confessing that Jesus Christ is lord. He died on the cross to give us peace, the peace of knowing we are loved by him; the peace that comforts us in times of storms and trials; the peace that we can hold to in disaster situations and sickness. Today, have you looked to the cross of Jesus? Have you asked him to forgive you your sins and become lord of your life? Jesus is the beacon that shines in the darkness of this world for us all to run to for help. Today, have you looked to the cross to find what you need?

(Bill Harvison is the pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Powell.)