Embracing the Cross

 

Embracing the Cross

Scenes from the passion

Jesus entering Jerusalem, triumphant on a foul of a donkey.https://youtu.be/Lj7QAdOR5h4; https://youtu.be/dwHBPC5V8MA

Jesus being crucified.https://youtu.be/i_Iue93PsoE

Two opposing scenes, one of victory and grandeur, the other of brokenness and suffering, which when viewed as a disciples must have caused greatest angst and doubt.

 

The Cross

To the Romans, the cross was a symbol and instrument of death, pain and torment!

That which the enemy meant for evil, God turned for Good!

 

Scripture indicates Jesus went resolutely after the cross

Resolutely = admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.

In Isa. 50:7 and Ezek. 3:9 the "expressions, where the word is used, means that the "Messiah" would be firm and resolute amidst all contempt and scorn which "he would meet; that he had made up his mind to endure it, and" would not shrink from any kind or degree of suffering which would be necessary to accomplish the great work in which he was "engaged." (Comp. Ezek. 3:8, 9.) Isa 50 says Yet Christ set is face like flint for the cross, why?

 

The cross was a portal to the spiritual and kingdom realm of the Father

To the Roman world, the cross was a symbol of torture and death.

Christ Jesus understood the true value and purpose of the cross.

The cross represented his destiny and purpose, the Cross for Christ not only paved a path for salvation but also healing and reconciliation with the Father. Ultimately, the purpose of the cross was to see the exchange of our sinful identity with the righteous and holy identity of the Son of God.

 

Isa 53

Jesus death on the cross says “he was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities…by his stripes we are healed”.

 

Jesus died to fulfill the requirement of the law but also to once and for all, break the curse of the sins of our forefathers.

As a result, we have not only access to our heavenly Father, but have restoration back into sonship.

 

The cross and all that Christ achieved on the cross was to restore mankind to their true identity

But was an opening for man to return to their true identity as sons of God with all the provisions and blessings that sons should know.

From the outset man was created in the image, likeness and to identify with the likeness of the Godhead

That likeness was marred by sin

 

Symbolism of sonship based on the Parable of the Prodigal Son

Christ bore our sins, sickness and false identity – the attitude of the older “doing’ son

Two sons, one who waisted his inheritance, the other who did not enter into the father’s presence nor receive his provision/treasures.

Christ opened the kingdom of our father for all mankind to enter into all the fullness that was planned for all of us at the beginning of creation.

So whilst the cross was meant to be an instrument of death, Jesus embraced the cross as he new its power was temporal which opened a dimension to the eternal.

 

We were not created to be instruments of sin, but rather to know our Father and our true identity as sons of God. Jesus being the “firstborn of many brothers”. Romans 8.

 

We are called also to embrace the cross, not the same cross that Christ bore but our own.

Matt 16:24 – Then Jesus said to his disciples, “if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”. This is repeated in Luke 14:26 and says “…if he does not, he cannot be my disciple”.

1 Cor 2:2 - Paul also encourages us, “When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.…”.

Galatians 6:14 “But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world”.

 

Once again, the answer lies in the cross, Christ stepped down and identified with man

Philippians 2:6-9

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross. 9Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names,…”.

Whilst the cross to the world symbolizes death and pain, it also represents the laying down of what we know to be obedient to the father.

 

We must be born again and become like little children

Jesus said we must come to him as little children, with the innocence and vulnerability of children.

Matthew 18:2-4 2He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Mark 10:15 15Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

Matthew 19:14 14Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

 

The concept of Self - Identity

In the domain in which I operate, the establishment of identity and “the self” lay at the heart to the development and maturity of an individual.

At an early age, self-concept ensures an individual has the prospects to ensure their wellbeing, without it, we are deemed vulnerable.

If we have an established identity, we know as CWs that the Y/P will have a good self image, self-esteem and be self-reliant.

Yet as we embrace the cross, first and foremost we are called to laydown all that we know to subject ourselves to the will of the Father.

Philippians says that Christ stepped down and became man, literally Emmanuel, became flesh.

 

Visit to see Tom and Oswald Chambers

Unlearning all that I have learnt throughout my life, so that I can become more like Christ.

 

Jesus calls you and I to embrace the cross of Christ and all that he achieved

 

Carrying our own cross and denying our own will and sense of self-worth

Taking up our own cross each day is about dying to all that we know and trust in our selves to completely and fully rely on Christ for all that we need.

Matt 26:39 - 3 times Christ prayed let this cup pass by me, yet not my will but your will be done father.

See Matt 6:33

 

My Testimony

My first opportunity to embrace God’s identity over my own.

1997, I was fired and quickly reinvented myself

2007. the Lord’s Rhema came to me and I began to embrace my identity in Christ in earnest.

2017, I was able to truly understand my identity was in Christ but at this time, everything that kept me safe was stripped away. I would be given the opportunity to not only have the concept of identity in Christ but through the stripping away, fully embrace it.

Everything that gave me a sense of success, my ministry, my company and business, my home that I built, my role as a husband and father.

Today, whilst I have many memories of the blessings experienced as a son, they are no longer connected to my concept of self-reliance but to and purely to my faith that all things will work together for good, for those who are called in Christ Jesus.

For the first time in 35 years of knowing Christ, I can honestly say, there is nothing left within myself that I can stand on as an assurance of who I am.

 

It is no longer I that live

I can hear the words of Paul and say it is truly no longer I live, but Christ who lives in me.

Solomon said his life of power and influence was a chasing after the wind

Paul was kicking against the pricks, referring to his attempts to stop the church.

 

What is the moral of this story as we take up our cross daily, deny ourselves and follow Christ?

Did not Christ die once for all humanity? Why must I take up the cross and deny myself to be a follower of Christ?

As we do this, we are letting go of the things which the world sees as successful, titles, roles, training, knowledge, and skills. We remove the structures such as our homes, jobs and even the people who validate and support us to maintain those worldly things.

Jesus set the prime example in embracing the cross, denying what he wanted to follow and pursue the father’s plans for all humanity.

Joseph had to lay day his dreams, be recognized as a slave and prisoner so that he could one day reign as a king.

Abraham had to leave his homeland and become a foreigner and never realized the dream of the nation of Israel or what it meant to be known as a Hebrew.

Moses toiled in the desert for 40 years with a bunch of wingers to only himself see a glimpse of the promised land.

David let go of his glory and majesty of his kingly rule to abide in a cave whilst his son illegitimately reigned in his stead.

All however, in letting go of what they wanted and those things which gave them a false sense of security, embraced the plans and true identity the Father had planned for them and received the greatest crown, to know Christ and all his suffering.

Romans 6:13 Offer your body not to sin but to God as an instrument of righteousness.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil and he shall flee.

Mk 10:28 Peter said he has left everything to follow you.

Luke 14:33 Jesus said, “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he cannot be my disciples”.

Phil 3:8 Paul said, “I consider everything a loss, compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ”.