Our Spontaneous Cross

“And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.” (Lu 23:26 AV)

This is a fascinating study.  Much conjecture is offered as to the motive of the guards in compelling Simon to assist in the carrying of the cross.  One thing is for certain, there is no record of Jesus falling under the weight of the cross.  Check it out.  Not one of the gospels mentions that Jesus was so faint from his beating that He could not carry His own cross.  John tells us he carried it himself.  The other gospels mention Simon.  There is no contradiction.  It would not have been seen as odd for a convict to receive assistance is carrying his cross.  Some believe Simon shared the weight.  What we do know is relieving Jesus of some of the weight of the cross, if not all, was not an exercise of mercy on behalf of the guards.  Some suggest, and I would agree, Simon was compelled because the authorities were afraid Jesus would expire under the weight of the cross before they had a chance to crucify Him. Or, as another mentioned, it could be they were pressed for time and were worried under his weakened state, Christ would not have traversed the road to Golgotha with enough time to crucify him before Passover started.   Remember, Jesus is omnipotent.  Even though he limited this attribute for the sake of empathizing with us, He did not disown it.  The miracles are proof of this.  Therefore, if Jesus wanted to bear His own cross all by Himself, he could have very well accomplished it.  What we also note is that Simon was compelled.  A Jewish pilgrim from Cyrene, a city in northeastern Africa, was drafted into the service of the magistrate.  He had no choice.  He was required to assist by the authorities.  Simon was returning from the fields and was not in the congregation to witness this execution.  He was not a martyr.  He was on his way into town for the paschal sacrifice and was picked, as it would appear, randomly to bear the cross of Jesus.  There are so many ways in which to apply this particular event, yet one stands above the others.

Our cross-bearing comes at times we may not expect them.  They may come at times when we have another path of obedience already in place.  We may have made arrangements to walk in obedience and faith when Christ changes our plans and gives us a different cross to bear.  This is not a cross we saw coming.  It was not a cross which we would naturally identify with.  This cross comes as an interruption to what we had planned.  It is not that we would refuse the cross.  We would bear under the weight of it.  What we can surmise is Simon did not allow this particular cross to negatively affect him.  He could have.  He could have been resentful at the imposition of the guards on his time and also resent he would be mistakenly identified with the criminal at hand.  He could have argued and tried to avoid it.  Simon could have joined the crowd and mocked, rather than quietly submit to the cross before him.  But he didn’t.  In fact, it just might be this one event in his life radically changed him and resulted in fruit to the account of Christ, which he would never have foreseen.

Simon, according to Mark, is the father of Rufus and Alexander.  These two men were outstanding Christians of the first century.  Paul mentions them with great adoration and recognition as he closes out the letter to the Romans.  Simon’s willingness to bear the cross of Jesus resulted in salvation decisions of his own family and two sacrificial sons who will forever be memorized in the eternal word of God.  The cross that lies before us, of which we cannot see at the moment, might just be that cross that accomplishes the greatest change in ourselves and those around us.  What we consider to be an imposition and something anyone could do, just might be that which changes our world forever.

A Spring in Your Step

“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.” (Hab 3:17-19 AV)

The prophet speaks of a time that is coming.  In chapter one and verse six, he speaks of the Chaldeans by name as coming to Judah and carrying them away.  His vision is one of the mighty hands of God both in the correction of His people, but also in their redemption and restoration.  The optimism and hope the prophet shares in light of the coming dearth is what struck my heart this morning.  The commitment to walking in joy regardless of the circumstances is more than admirable.  The manifestation of that joy is seen following the commitment.  There is a spring in his step.  There is excitement in his voice.  There is an anticipation of the grace of God even though he knows there are tough times ahead.  What an encouragement for the days lying ahead.

It is a temptation to allow the circumstances of life to dictate our emotional state.  Joy can be easily lost if we look at all that is happening around us or to us.  The commitment above is easier said than done.  When we see just how wicked the world can get, it is hard to maintain optimism.  When we suffer personal loss or serious health issues, it is difficult to have a permanent smile.  When we see the apathy of the church at large and wonder if anyone really cares for the needs of the lost soul, it is difficult to sense excitement for what God can do.  Habakkuk isn’t looking at the state of the present, but at what he sees as the immediate future.  He sees no fruit.  No blossoms on the fig trees; no fruit on the vine; even though they labor with the olive tree, it produces no oil;  no kids in the stalls; and the fields produce no crops.  The prophet sees no hope for an immediate increase.  Yet, he joys and there is a spring in his step.  Why?  Because circumstances are temporary.

He knows Israel will not always be that way.  Just because their immediate future does not look too bright, that does not limit what God can do for the long term.  Habakkuk knows they have to suffer a bit for their disobedience, but God is still on His throne and He will bless.  What a great outlook.  Regardless of what the world will do, one’s own body will do, or what the devil may try, the prophet will rejoice and walk with a spring in his step.  All the trouble we may face will only last this lifetime.  We know what lies ahead.  This will not last forever!  Walk with a spring in your step because there is something to look forward to.  And it will last forever.

Wait For It

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” (Hab 2:3 AV)

 

I love this verse!  What an amazing declaration of God’s sovereign plan that no man nor spirit can interrupt.  It may seem like His plan is canceled.  It may seem like the conclusion will never come.  But it will.  God will not allow the forces of evil to have their way much longer.  No matter how we may perceive the passing of time and the unfolding of God’s plan, nothing will prevent the coming of Jesus to His kingdom promised to those who live by faith.  The vision is for an appointed time.  That time is in the mind of God.  It doesn’t matter how much mankind thinks it can derail the plan of God nor does it matter how successful they think they are.  The vision is for an appointed time.  Like an appointment at the doctor's, it will come as scheduled.  The appointment is set and the event will come to pass.

When the appointment occurs, it will speak.  It doesn’t matter what I believe.  If I go to the doctor and think my symptoms are not an indication of a serious condition, it will not matter if the tests say differently.  The last word is the appointment.  When we sit with the doctor and he or she gives the news, there is nothing in our hearts, minds, or wills that will change the outcome.  It has been determined.  The appointment will speak.  God will speak when Jesus returns.  It matters not what we think, how we feel, or what we desire.  What God wants will be a new reality.

If we know we have an appointment wherein the outcome is already determined, then patience is a hard thing to come by.  If there was something we could do to change the outcome, we would be patient in our business to change that outcome.  However, if news is what we are waiting on, then patience becomes difficult.  I am at the age when biopsies are common.  The staff tells you two to three weeks is usually what it takes before results are given.  That doesn’t stop us from checking MyChart every day until the results are posted.  Knowing that Christ is coming back and it could be any time now, we are to exercise patience.  We are to wait for it and not give up hope.  We are to look to the eastern sky until the Day Star arises in our hearts.  He is coming back.  Nothing will change this.  Wait for it and when He does return, he will have the last say.

The Untouchables

“We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” (1Jo 5:18 AV)

 What a promise!  However, how does that reconcile with the advice Peter offers?  He states,  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” (1Pe 5:8-9 AV) What does Peter mean by  ‘…devour…’?  What would John say that the wicked one toucheth him not yet Peter warn us against that same wicked one who wished to devour?  The Greek word for devour means to swallow up.  It implies complete destruction.  The Greek word for ‘…toucheth…’ means to attach to; to touch.  It would seem that demonic touching is far less severe than a devouring.  So, how can John promise that the Devil will not touch us yet Peter warns us the devil seeks to devour?  How do these two reconcile?  A few thoughts.

First, just because the Devil seeks to devour does not mean he can or will be successful.  It just might be the attempt that is of concern.  It might be the Devil is so naïve as to think the laws of the Bible do not apply to him and he will attempt to destroy the believer.  It would not be out of character.  Revelation chapter twelve foretells the Devil’s downfall.  Yet knowing this, he tries anyway.

Second, perhaps these two concepts are one and the same.  For the Devil to destroy by devouring, his must by extension, attach.  Perhaps this touching is the equivalent of devouring.  Perhaps the touching isn’t mere harassment, but something far more severe.  In this sense, the outcome is the same as above.  He attempts to do the impossible.

Third, some would think this a contradiction and thus disannul the word of God.  We know this is not a possibility.  The word of God is His perfect revelation of Himself to man.  By default, it is perfect!

The application is obvious.  If we are saved, the Devil has no power over us.  Peter is right.  We should resist steadfast in the faith and he will flee.  We have already been guaranteed victory by the words of John and Peter is merely telling us by what means this victory comes.  Resist the Devil and he will flee.  When he flees, we cannot be touched.  This is the hope of all who call upon the name of Jesus!  Jesus seals us by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world.  The victory over Satan is a foregone conclusion.  There is no power he has over me.  If allowed by God to harass the believer, it is to make us stronger.  So, fight back and tell him to get lost!  Oh, wait.  He already is!

Zealousness In Dark Times

“And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.” (Lu 19:45-46 AV)

 This event isn’t in and of itself out of character for Jesus.  What makes this event noteworthy is the context in which it was done.  This is not the first or only time Christ cleansed the temple.  He began his public ministry pretty much the same way.  When Christ came upon the temple as a house of commerce rather than prayer, He could not contain His zeal.  The psalm writer states it this way, “For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.” (Ps 69:9 AV) John chapter two records the first cleansing as proof to the disciples of the Messiah’s identity.  The first cleansing was the launching of His public ministry and the event that would galvanize those who initially accepted Him as their Messiah.  Jesus embarked on His public ministry with the possibility Israel and Jerusalem would accept Him.  In the above account, the cleansing was done after His public ministry.  He would soon be taken prisoner, tortured, and killed by the very people whom He wished would believe.  What makes this event even more remarkable is that Jesus wept over the unbelief of the city of Jerusalem suggesting no matter what He did, they would never turn to Him.  Yet, He still cleansed the temple and taught in the midst thereof.  The second cleansing was a statement of absolute right coupled with zeal no matter the outcome.

I couldn’t help but see the similarity between the latter days of Christ’s ministry and the mission of the church as our days grow darker and more evil.  As we see the day approaching, is our zeal increasing, or decreasing?  What about our age?  Do we see our physical limitations as something to overcome, or an excuse to do less?  When we watch the news or read the headlines and realize the world is not getting any better, does the zeal of God’s house eat us up?  Or, are we ready to throw in the towel and ride it out?  Are we counting the effort versus the results and wondering if the payout would be worth it?  Do we see increased opposition as a challenge rather than an impediment?  Or is the opposition so fierce it is impossible to resist?  Do we see our times as an opportunity to speak for the glory of God?  Or do we see it all as a hopeless exercise that only can be resolved with the coming of Christ?  Do we see the temple filled with merchandise and commerce, remembering the LORD cleaned it out once and since the shallow worshippers welcomed it back, it isn’t worth it to clean it out again?

Revival comes to those who want it.  It will never come to those who have raised the white flag of apathy.  Revival comes to those who will respond to the work of the Holy Spirit and not limit Him to the circumstances in which it must come.  Zeal is a response to adverse circumstances.  If all circumstances were to our liking, there would be no need for zeal.  Zeal is the correct response to what we see around us.  Zeal is exactly what the church needs.  Zeal is the fire that needs to be lit, the energy that needs to flow, and the face of the holiness of God.  Zeal is what brings the gospel to the darkest of places, the corners where sin hides, and the hearts of those who would never seek it out.  Zeal is the source whereupon the saint draws his motivation to stand in opposition to the forces of evil.  It is the unstoppable force that turns a situation deemed hopeless by most into a possibility for right.  Zeal, partnered with knowledge, will change the world.  Zeal, with charity, will change a heart.  Zeal, with hope, will motivate the multitude.  Zeal, with love, will bring the grace of God to hearts that cannot see.  So, forget that the temple hasn’t changed all that much from the first time God moved.  God can and will move again.  Now is not the time to surrender.  Now is not the time to give up.  Countless souls are without Christ and there are still a few who want to know.  Don’t let the times dictate your commitment.  Let it do just the opposite.  Let the times stir you!  Let the darkness cause your light to shine even brighter.  Use the depravity around you to motivate you as an instrument in the hand of God.  Cleanse the temple.  One more time!

Amazing Adoption

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” (1Jo 3:1 AV)

 I don’t know what it is like to be adopted, but I have a sister that does.  What I can tell you is that my sister has a unique relationship with our father that no one else had.  There was a special bond between them that was different from what he had with his natural children.  It wasn’t that he played favorites or that he admired or loved her more than us.  It was just different.  Conversely, her relationship with our father was different as well.  She saw him differently than we did.  She appreciated him in ways that we could not.  Again, it is not that my father had a favorite.  It was different.  Not better.  I think the biggest reason was over time, my sister appreciated the love which my father had for her and the circumstances regarding her adoption.  She was adopted from a family that could not take care of her, or wanted her.  My father, out of his own free will, chose to love her and care for her.  His natural children were loved and cared for because they were the product of his love for his wife.  My sister was different.  He loved her for who and what she was and not from where she came.  This deep love took time to mature.  As all love does.  But it truly matured.

When we accepted Christ, we were adopted into the family of God.  God did not love us out of obligation.  He did not love us only because He created us.  When we believed on Christ, He loved us because of what and who we are, and not from whence we came.  When John reflects upon the love of God, he does so from the doctrine of adoption.  The love involved in adopting the unlovely is a love we will never fully comprehend.  This is why John uses the wording as he does above.  What manner of love is a phrase to behold the wonder of that love.  For someone to love if by a free will choice of His own is the implication.  God loves us not because He has to.  God does not love us because no one else would.  God looks at the humble sinner and takes pity on that soul.  He chooses to specifically love someone who was His enemy and hated Him with every fiber of his being.  He sees a soul broken for their sin, crying out in shame, guilt, desperation, and faith.  He chooses to love that soul and gather him into His family.  This is a love beyond any comparison.  It is a love that cannot be matched.  It is a love that began in eternity past and has no end.  Nothing can separate us from the love of God!  And God will never cease to love.  Oh, what manner of love that we should be called the sons of God.

It's Still Going To Melt

“And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (1Jo 2:17 AV)

You know, that which we lust after is only temporary.  It will not last forever.  Whether it is that donut on the counter, the newer car, the better house, or heaven forbid, another person, they are all temporary and will pass with the using.  Time will take a toll on that freshly baked roll.  The second law of thermodynamics will make that new car a pile of junk.  That better home?  That too will eventually return to the earth from which it came.  That person of which you lust?  One of these days, he or she while not be as enticing as they may be today.  They too will change over time to something which we no longer desire.  All that our flesh, minds, and heart could lust after is of this world.  Because it is of this world, will decay and return to the world from which it came.  The pleasure which we derive is fleeting.  Once pleasure has run its course, guilt and shame take over.  And these last much longer.  It is ridiculous to chase after that which cannot permanently, please and which lasts only a short while.

We have this local frozen custard place that is always packed.  We go there from time to time.  Last time I went there I ordered two scoops in a waffle cone.  It was a warm night.  Guess what happens to frozen custard on a warm night.  You guessed it.  It melts!  Therefore, I had to eat as fast as I could so it didn’t get all over my father-in-law’s truck.  That reminds me of the verse above.  We consume what we lust after as hard and fast as we can because if we do not, it will disappear and we will never be able to enjoy it.

It is foolish once you stop to think about it.  We chase after that which is temporary.  If we wait long enough, it won’t be there anymore and the temptation will release.  John’s advice is doing the will of the Father is far more pleasurable and long-lasting.  In fact, the joy which comes from obedience and faith lasts an eternity.  That Chicago dog?  Once it is gone, it is gone.  Then comes the heartburn that follows.  That person?  They will get older and less desirable.  Love was never the foundation.  Lust was.  These things will terminate.  Like the custard cone, it won’t be there very long and the pleasure will last even less.  It is better to live in the will of God and desire the joy that comes with victory for all of eternity!