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Listen while you read: "Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross"1 (Lyrics) |
Hebrews 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NKJV)
It was October 1968 during my first year of training towards ordination that a group of us men invaded the home of a saintly eighty-year-old lady for the purpose of encouraging her in her faith by having what was then called a Cottage Meeting with her.
She was gleeful as she sang along with us to the music of an accordion. After a short sermon, centred on the cross, we sang my favourite hymn, written by Fanny Crosby:
- Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain;
Free to all — a healing stream —
Flows from Calv'ry's mountain.
When we finished singing and had a closing prayer, she raised both hands over her heart and announced in a quivering but very intelligible voice, "Young men, please remember. Always stay near the cross, because the devil is afraid of the cross." That proclamation has never left me, even after fifty-six years.
We left her that day committed to conquering the world for Jesus, all because of the cross. My personal awareness of the significance and meaning of the cross exploded into overdrive. My favourite preacher at that time was Billy Graham. It is said that he once attributed the large number of responses in his crusades to the one central theme of his sermons: the Lord Jesus Christ and the power of the cross.
If we had lived in Jerusalem on the day of Christ's crucifixion, I wonder how near we would have been to the cross. Little did I realize that in my eightieth year, I would be spiritually, figuratively, and even physically near the cross. Let me explain.
From a window in the suite where my wife and I live, we can see a large cross about 100 metres away atop the church next door. During the day when the sun is shining, it appears to reflect that bright light, and all is well. When night comes, the spotlights beneath the cross illuminate it so that it becomes a source of comfort and reassurance in the darkness which surrounds it. As I am looking at it now, I have to repeat, "Jesus, keep me near the cross!"
How near are we to the cross today, to the crucified Christ? Our nearness to the cross will be evident to those who see and hear us. It will be reflected in how we react to what is happening around us and what we do each day of our lives.
Prayer:
- Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o'er me.
Amen!
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daughter: "Update May 12, 2025: Please keep praying for my daughter. She needs the Lord in her life*** April..." 
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Beautiful story, Stephen.
Beautiful message Stephen! Blessings.
Beautiful, thanks for sharing your heart.
Thank you so much, Stephen. You are in inspiration!
Wonderful. Thank you.
(TX)
Thanks Stephen, do have a peaceful and relaxing day. Blessings.
As usual, uplifting and pertinent to our growth in Faith. Bless you Stephen, for this.
Jesus Keep us Near the Cross – situations tell us to go to the Cross – Jesus is triumphant – praise God.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Near the Cross is a cherished hymn, for sure! Blessings.
Good morning, Steve
Thank you, this was beautiful, the little lady also like an amazing lady.
God bless.
Good morning, Stephen,
Great message to encourage us all to stay “near the cross”. We never know when something is really going to affect us in such a positive way. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Blessings.
“Young men, please remember. Always stay near the cross, because the devil is afraid of the cross.”
This word is for me. I pray God keeps me near the Cross till the end.
Blessings,
(Nigeria)
Near the Cross. Yes indeed! This past week we started a new Bible study on Gifts/Spiritual Gifts. Came clear that the expression of the gifts brings a blessing not only for ourselves, but to the church and beyond. This can only be accomplished by staying near the cross. Your devotional fits so nicely into the study. Thank you and Shalom!
Many thanks Stephen for your encouraging devotional today and sharing about that special view you have of a cross in the area where you live. Yes, reflecting on the “cross” certainly gives us strong and memorable thoughts of what our Lord Jesus endured. He is ever deserving of our praise and gratitude for the love and care we receive by accepting Him in our lives. Blessings for your writings.
Your devotion today sure hit home. I just recently relocated to be nearer to family. From my apartment I can see the tower and steeple of a beautiful Catholic church and, like you said, it is illuminated at night. It is very beautiful, and I find I often just sit and look at it and try to bring the positiveness in my life ahead of negatives that can come when relocating and leaving good friends behind.
God’s Blessings.
Really enjoyed your devotional this morning. I, too, remember some glorious cottage meetings. One in particular, where a dear old soul wanted ‘Oh, the bitter pain and sorrow and it goes on of course to the final verse which pens our aim ‘None of self and all of Thee’. It was new to me at the time being many years ago, and I never fail to think of her when we occasionally sing it in service. God bless you for reminding me of her this morning and as I approach my 80th birthday, may that ever be my desire to get closer to God so that there’s much less of me and more of Him. Keep sharing, we still have a message in our later years.
How wonderful for you and your wife to have that beautiful cross within your daily view. I “met” Jesus in my front hall in 1975 and have been crazy in love with Him ever since. Only recently have I realized that the cross is the essential part of Christ’s work on earth.
I love your story Stephen – and I love that it was someone my age who gave you that little piece of knowledge to embrace all these years. Now I’m going to embrace it too. Amazing how the Lord can pass things on that way – one 81-year-old to another. I plan to keep advising my loved ones to remember and stay close to the cross, as that was our Saviour’s way to open the door to eternity for His followers – so that we wouldn’t have to suffer that way (though of course some have). Bless you for sharing this story and this Truth.
Thank you, Stephen. I really like this thought: Our nearness to the cross will be evident to those who see and hear us. It will be reflected in how we react to what is happening around us and what we do each day of our lives.
Good evening, Stephen,
I can see the cross quite clearly the way you have described it from your window. Thank you for this message today.
“During the day when the sun is shining, it appears to reflect that bright light, and all is well. When night comes, the spotlights beneath the cross illuminate it so that it becomes a source of comfort and reassurance in the darkness which surrounds it. As I am looking at it now, I have to repeat, “Jesus, keep me near the cross!”
And while reading your message this hymn popped into my head “Nearer, My God, To Thee, Nearer to Thee”.
Grace and Peace to you!