Happy Memorial Day today for those of you here in the States.

Last time we looked at the sanctifying power of Christ on the cross. That was episode 2048. In our Bible reading together

we've been reading Mark 15 recently about the death of Christ. So it's been a

theme for us and today we return to the cross by doing something different today,

Pastor John. I want you to respond to a viral video clip going around from a pretty well-known

actor named Shailabuff. He's 37. He was converted to Roman Catholicism in recent years.

He starred in the 2022 film, Padre Pio, a movie named after a Catholic priest, a mystic, and so-called venerated saint.

Not long ago in an interview, the actor was discussing the connection between Christ's suffering

and his joy, and it generated some emails for you

all asking for your response. But before we get to what he said, let me footnote a few caveats.

It should first be said that the New Testament never speaks of

individuals as saints. That's a Catholic myth. Saints that's a corporate title for

all Christians. And I'm unsure if this actor understands the gospel that Christ paid for the guilt of our sin by satisfying the wrath of God.

He tends to speak of the Cross as more of a moral model.

Christ died mainly as an example for Cross is more of a moral model.

Christ-side mainly as an example for us.

And he's obviously very comfortable

with images of Christ, crucifixes, and paintings.

Several factors I just want to acknowledge at the front end of this episode and just set aside

for now.

I don't want to get into any of those.

As Shai spoke, my mind went to Hebrew 12-2, a text that you brought up in 25 episodes on the podcast over the years,

...