On account of this, the cross is both holy and blessed! Once nothing but a dry piece of wood, it was changed, like Aaron's staff, into a green branch full of heavenly blossoms and fruit. Once an instrument of torment for the punishment of sinners, it now shines in heavenly splendor for all sinners as a sign of grace. Once the wood f the curse, it has now become, after the Promised Blessing for all people offered Himself up on it, a tree of blessing, an altar of sacrifice for the atonement, and a sweet smelling aroma to God. Today, the cross is still a terror- but only to hell. It shines upon its ruins as a sign of victory over sin, death and Satan.
C.F.W. Walther
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