Notes and the author’s personal reflections from the teachings of Pastor David E. Sumrall, Undershepherd of Cathedral of Praise.
At the center of everything we believe is the cross.
“It is finished.” – John 19:30
This was a declaration of victory. The spiritual battle was already won. The price was fully paid. The gospel is free for us, but it was never cheap. Jesus gave His life, His blood.
The cross is not just a symbol. It is our foundation.
- If a teaching does not point back to the cross, it leads us away from the truth.
- If we remove the cross, we remove the power of our faith.
- If we misunderstand the cross, we misunderstand God’s heart.
The Message of the Cross
And yet, the message of the cross is often misunderstood.
It offends, it confuses, and to some, it even looks foolish (1 Corinthians 1:23). But to us who believe, it is:
- The power of God
- The power of reconciliation (from hostility to friendship)
- The power of redemption and freedom
- The power of total victory
We don’t boast in ourselves. We boast in the cross.
Conflict of Hearts: Choosing Love Over Negatives
One of the first lessons about the Cross is dealing with the heart.
There will be seasons marked by:
- Anger
- Jealousy
- Resentment
But the principle remains simple and powerful:
Love wins. It outweighs all the negatives.
The cross teaches us that even in deep emotional conflict, love is still the higher way. Jesus did not respond with bitterness. He responded with surrender and love.
And that is our call too.
Conflict of Wills: Surrendering to God’s Plan
The cross is not just about what Jesus did. It is also about how we live.
“Take up your cross daily…”- Luke 9:23
Our cross represents God’s will for our lives.
Jesus came first as the suffering servant, but He will return as Lord of Lords. In both, one truth remains:
God’s will always prevails (Isaiah 14:24)
The Cross teaches us that:
- Not everything we want is God’s will
- Not everything that is possible is God’s plan
- True faith is trusting God’s decisions
Faith is not forcing outcomes. It is surrendering outcomes.
The Reality of Opposition
If the cross was resisted, misunderstood, and attacked, why do we expect our walk to be easy?
The message of the cross:
- Always has enemies
- Always brings persecution
- Often comes from religious people, not just the world
Even Jesus was opposed, not by the masses alone, but by leaders driven by:
- Envy
- Fear of losing power
- Desire for control
Here is a sobering truth:
Weak men are dangerous when they hold power.
They control, manipulate, and make decisions rooted in fear rather than character.
And yet, the cross teaches us this principle:
Do what is right, even when it costs you.
Understanding Betrayal and the Human Heart
One of the deepest lessons of the Cross is learning to understand betrayal.
Jesus was betrayed, not by a stranger, but by someone close.
Betrayal reveals the heart.
Some key insights:
- Betrayal is person-specific, not group-based
- It often begins with a change of heart
- It is usually triggered by correction
- It hides behind spiritual language but has selfish motives
A powerful principle:
The most dangerous person is someone who no longer sees a future with you.
And yet, Jesus did not fight His betrayer. He remained in control, steady, and surrendered.
Strength in Suffering: The Way of Jesus
In the garden and on the cross, we see the strength of Jesus.
He felt deep emotions, but He did not let emotions control Him.
- He brought His struggles to God in prayer
- He did not vent publicly
- He persisted in prayer, even repeating it three times
Faith persists, even when the answer is surrender.
Another powerful truth:
Your commitment weakens when you stop dying to God’s will daily.
The cross teaches daily surrender, not just one-time decisions.
When Darkness Comes
There is something called the “hour of darkness” (Luke 22:53).
It is real, but it is temporary.
Even in that moment:
- Jesus was still in control
- Satan had no claim on Him (Colossians 1:13)
- He continued to walk with purpose
This reminds us:
Darkness may come, but it never has the final say.
The Power of the Finished Work
At the cross, Jesus spoke seven powerful statements, but one stands above all:
“It is finished.”
Not “It is almost done.”
Not “It is uncertain.”
Finished. Complete. Accomplished.
Because of the cross:
- We are forgiven
- We are justified (Romans 5:9)
- We are free from sin’s record
- We have access to God’s presence
- We walk in victory
Jesus was not a victim. He yielded His life.
That is true strength.
Living with Sincerity and Truth
The purpose of understanding the cross is not just knowledge; it is transformation.
It is to:
- Remove malice from our hearts
- Walk in sincerity and truth
- Align our lives with God’s will
The Cross teaches us that:
- Strength is not domination. It is development.
- Leadership is not control. It is surrender.
- Victory is not avoiding suffering. It is trusting God through it.
Final Reflection: A Joyful Life in the Cross
A joyful life is not a life without pain. It is a life anchored in truth.
When we understand the cross:
- We stop striving
- We stop proving
- We start trusting
And even in suffering, betrayal, or uncertainty, we can say with confidence:
We are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).
Because the cross already secured the victory.