Text:”…if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23
t is commonplace in modern-day Christianity to believe that as children of God, through the election of grace (1Thess.1:4; 2 Peter 1:10), that everything will be very smooth, straight, without hitch and essentially, a roller coaster – far from it! Jesus Christ, from our text, said that the consequence of being His child is cross carrying – the way of the cross is the pathway of pain, lack, torture, thirst, betrayal, humiliation, disgrace, satanic gang-up, shame, losses, helplessness and severe punishment but it will end in joy. On a trip to the Way of the Cross in Jerusalem years ago, the tour guide gave us some hints prior to embarking on the trip. He said that all tourists should put on thick clothing materials because the weather might be chilly, wear flat shoes because the journey is far and road is steep, take bottles of water because of thirst and to keep baggage in the bus as there are many pilferers on the road.
Jesus Christ forewarned His disciples of the incumbency of going to Jerusalem so that He could suffer many things (not few), face rejection by elders, chief priests and scribes, be slain and at the end be rewarded with a heavenly lift up (Luke 9:22). Peter reacted to this, he took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. He said that “Far be it from You, Lord: this shall not be to You” (Matthew 16:22-23). He said in essence that “I reject it!”, “It must never happen!”, “That will not be your portion!” Jesus’ reaction to Peter’s rebuke was very harsh and at same time quite instructive. He said to him “… Get thee behind Me, Satan! You are an offence to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men (Matthew 16:23).
The implication of Jesus’ rebuke is that there had always been, and there still is, a dichotomy of messages in the public space. While one message is of men, the other is of God. The message about the things of men is to the effect that life must always be easy, devoid of challenges and always laden with prosperity while the message of the things of God implies that the aftermath of being a child of God is a combination of suffering, rejection and condemnation. It is impossible to stand for Jesus Christ and the world will not stand against you. Jesus Christ said that anyone who desires to follow Him must deny himself, that is must be heavenly focused, not be carnally minded (Romans 8:6) and must take up his cross (1Corinthians 1:18). Self- denial and cross carrying are the hallmarks of Christianity. Christianity is not about what you are saying or declaring, it is about what you are carrying, it is about the burden you are bearing and it is about the selfless services you are rendering for Christ’s sake (2 Corinthians 11:22-30).
Beloved in Christ, “Jesus is Lord” should not just be a slogan but it is also a life laden with unexplainable hatred, sacrifices and a commission for suffering cum persecution. Paul told Timothy that “…all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12 cf John 15:19). Brethren, your first passion and responsibility as a believer should be to the society followed by your family and lastly you. When this order is disrupted, the Christian faith is fraud-laden and self-serving. Christianity is not completely a bed of roses. If you want to be a real Christian and live according to the standard of heaven, you must be set for persecution, be ready to be insulted and be available to be ganged up against like Jesus Christ on His way to the Cross. It is impossible to stand for Jesus Christ and the world will not stand against you. The good news, however, is that the terminal point of those challenges is a lifting up. The Psalmist said that “weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).
It is, therefore, imperative to be very careful of who your counsellors are and be heedful of who you listen to. Most of the nice words flying around at such a time in our country with the Coronavirus may not be the right word of God but of men. Be careful of places where you go and where they inform you that all shall be easy – Jesus told Peter that such a message is not of God but of men. The real message is that without death, there is no resurrection; without rejection, there is no lifting up and in the absence of trials, there is no elevation. Jesus said that “…except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it dies, it bringeth forth much fruit” (John 12:24). Rejection must precede a lifting up. Casting must come before catching and trials are the advent of elevation. Jesus Christ said that “in the world there shall be tribulation but be of good cheer because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33; 1 Peter 4:16).
For people that have been redeemed of God, believers that are called by God and the lot that belongs to Him, there is certainty of water, river and fire experiences but God has promised that “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shalt not be burned; nor shall the flame scorch you” (Isaiah 43:2). It, therefore, doesn’t matter how sweeping the water is, how stormy the rivers are and how fierce the fire is this hour, it shall surely end in testimony for you in the name of Jesus. Every problem had an expiry date label!
Are you passing through some challenges now as a believer? Are things so hard with you economically and you are wondering why, after praying and fasting? Are you having health issues that seemed to defy prayers? Are you being persecuted for righteousness’ sake? Are you passing through fire, river or a raging storm? Are you suffering silently and don’t know who to talk to? Are you experiencing grave issues in your marriage? I have good news for you – they are the consequences of being a child of God and it shall end in joy. The present challenges are positioned to test your faith (1 Peter 1:7). You must continue to hold on to Jesus Christ, don’t lose hope or look back like Lot’s wife, don’t cut corners or compromise your faith. Very soon, it shall all end in joy and celebration. It is impossible to stand for Jesus Christ and the world will not stand against you!
Prayer: Father, give me strength to carry my cross and turn my weeping into joy, in Jesus’ name
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