The Way of the Cross

Read:  2 Kings 16:5-15 

Introduction:  In 2 Kings 16:5-15, King Ahaz traded the silver and gold of the temple and built a new and more contemporary altar for the House of the Lord. Many churches do this when they forsake the preaching of the cross. Elijah understood the need to repair the broken altar of Israel before the fire would fall. Paul travelled all around the ancient world preaching the message of the cross of Christ:  He writes, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God"  1 Corinthians 1:18.

The Cross and Fruitfulness
Paul taught that Christians should be upon the cross (Galatians 2:20). Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me"  Luke 9:23. A prolific preacher once said, "Religion is hanging around the cross; Christianity is getting on the cross!" Many in the kingdom of God seek to know authority, but the only way to the crown is through the cross (Philippians 2:6-11). Revival does not come on credit card, we have to pay up front! Those who wear the crown of authority in public are wearing the crown of thorns in private.

Simon of Cyrene (Luke 23:26; Mark 15:21; Romans 16:13) shared the burden of carrying the cross. He is an example of discipleship and multiplication as he produced godly offspring. Isaiah tells us that the cross produces spiritual offspring (Isaiah 53:10-11) and this same principle is found in John 12:24.

The Sayings of the Cross

So what does it mean to be on the cross? As we recall the sayings of Christ upon the cross, we will draw some thoughts as to how this might apply to a crucified life today.

"Father forgive them..." Luke 23:34. The crucified life requires us to regularly forgive those that have hurt us and leave justice with the Lord.

"Today, you will be with me in Paradise" Luke 23:43.  Although we ourselves may be suffering, we must still be prepared to reach out to others, in love and with the Gospel.

"Mother, behold your Son" John 19:26-27.  Accepting and loving difficult people in the Body of Christ, or even in our own families, is part of being on the cross.

"My God! My God! Why?" Matthew 27:46.  There are seasons of "manifestation and hiddenness" in God. Sometimes God hides from us, so that we say "I thirst" John 19:28 and commit our lives "into thy hands" Luke 23:42. See also Isaiah 50:10.

"It is finished" John 19:30.  This is our cry when the power of the cross has done its work in our lives and our trial is over and our victory is seen.

Conclusion

Here are three comments regularly made to or about those who live the crucified life.

"Come down from the cross and save yourself," (Mark 15:30) say religious/worldly people. 

"Remember me," (Luke 23:42) say those in need of God. 

"Truly, this was a son of God," (Mark 15:39) say the mourners.

Let us take up our cross daily and follow Him to victory, authority and multiplication!