. . . 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. –Hebrews 12: 2

On an island in the harbor of a city called New York, there is a symbol of freedom called the Statute of Liberty. Since its dedication in 1886, this colossal lady has been a beacon of hope to millions of immigrants looking for a new and better life in America. The mere sight of this statute brought tears to their eyes and shouts of joy from their lips.

Now, on a hill outside of a city called Jerusalem, there once stood a cross on which hung a man named Jesus. He was crucified and buried on a Friday. Then, after three days in the grave, he rose on the third day with all power in his hand. Even more so than the Statue of Liberty, since Calvary, billions have looked to the old rugged cross as the place where their liberty was purchased and the empty cross of the third day as the sign and symbol of their eternal liberty.

That Lady in the harbor represents political freedom, but that Lord who conquered the cross represents personal and perpetual freedom. Talk about a new and better life! Because of what Jesus did on that cross, no matter where we may have come from, we can become new creations. All things are passed away and behold all things have become new. David Phelps put it this way:

Amazing Grace shall always be my song of praise For it was grace that bought my liberty. I do not know just how He came to love me so He looked beyond my faults and saw my need.

I shall forever lift mine eyes to Calvary To view the cross where Jesus died for me. How marvelous the grace that caught my falling soul He looked beyond my faults and saw my need.