THE PROPER WAY TO BEAR YOUR CROSS
Here we are witnessing the ultimate sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and even in the midst of His suffering on the cross He still has lessons to teach us. The lesson we need to learn here is that we all have a cross to bear.
Today we will learn a few of the PROPER WAYS TO BEAR YOUR CROSS.
Jesus had a heavy cross to bear. Not just the physical cross but a mental and emotional cross as well. He had to bear the realization that He was betrayed by Judas, denied by Peter, deserted by His disciples, and falsely accused of a crime and sentenced to death by Jewish religious leaders and the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate after being traded for a murderer. He dealt with the brutality of the Roman police. He was beaten, whipped, made to carry His own cross to Golgotha, nailed to the cross by His feet and wrists and forced to wear a crown with sharp thorns that was pressed down on His head as He was raised up on that cross between two thieves. PHEW! And as if that wasn’t enough, they place a sign over His head that said, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS”, which was from their point of view, meant to mock Him, in three different languages. But ironically the statement they posted was really true.
THE PROPER WAY TO BEAR OUR CROSS is to recognize that sometimes the things people say to try to accuse or belittle you that they believe to be derogatory or negative may not necessarily be in the eyes of God. For instance, they may mistake your meekness for weakness or your ability to turn the other cheek as being a coward when in reality they are weapons that God has given you to use to show the world that our weapons are not carnal but spiritual and mighty through God to pull down strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4) and to show YOU that you don’t have to fight in the natural because God will fight for you. There are times when all you have to do is stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.
Jesus was strategically placed in between these two thieves as it showed the bridge that He made between our depravity, as with the antagonistic thief, to the forgiveness and acceptance of God shown by the humble thief. There was even an exchange between the two of them as the humble thief reminded the other one of why they were both in the situation they were in and that it was of their own doing.
THE PROPER WAY TO BEAR YOUR CROSS is to recognize that often the enemy will thrust you in the middle of situations that have absolutely nothing to do with you but somehow you find yourself a part of it having to take sides. Remember that the situation should not change you, but you should be able to change the situation through your prayers, your gifts and the instructions God gives you. The people around you need you. They need what God has put in you regardless of the mess around you. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and the ultimate goal which is to reveal God to people through your words and conduct and ultimately win souls to Christ. He will take care of you so stop complaining about the situation because God will give you solutions if you listen.
Now let’s focus specifically on the verses found in Luke 23:39-43
THE PROPER WAY TO BEAR YOUR CROSS is to be able to admit when you are wrong. The second thief admitted his wrongdoing. He admitted that he was a thief and deserved his punishment, but he also asked Jesus for forgiveness. The first thief was trying to escape his judgement and shift responsibility. As a result, he remained stuck in his sin, unchanged while the second thief received forgiveness and freedom.
When God knows your heart is pure that’s when the blessing comes. The second thief had no ulterior motives. Because of his humility and honesty, he instantly went from death to life.
THE PROPER WAY TO BEAR YOUR CROSS is to understand that you may be in some mess right now, even if it’s mess that you created yourself, but God can change your situation immediately. God is not the author of confusion. He has created you with specific gifts and authority and the unique individual ability to use everything He gave you to gain souls for His kingdom. THAT IS YOUR PURPOSE.
THE PROPER WAY TO BEAR YOUR CROSS is to walk unapologetically in who you are in Christ, flaws and all, dedicated to the service of building God’s kingdom. Remember that God loves YOU. After all He did create you for His good pleasure (Revelations 4:11 KJV) and in His own image (Genesis 1:21 KJV). Who would do that unless there was great love involved?
Walk in the full knowledge of who God says you are, full of His wisdom and the knowledge of who God is so you can win others to Christ.