I had to fight my first battle to conquer my own stubborn soul.”
–Max Brand (Riders of the Silences)
“But I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”
–1 Corinthians 9:27 (NASB)
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“The cross upon which Jesus died
Is a shelter in which we can hide.
And its grace so free is sufficient for me,
And deep is its fountain; as wide as the sea.”
–Ira Stanphill
I have thought for years that far too many take this time of the year very flippantly. Even in the church we see more ado about egg hunts, peeps, and chocolate bunnies. These can be fun, if kept in proper perspective and not the focal point of Easter. It is like so many things today. The terms, the events seem to get thrown around and it becomes just another fun day of the year.
Listen, “there is no real love without the cross.” (Jack Graham) Perhaps we ought to sober up and get serious over what took place. Yes, we have films to draw us to the cross, and they do a good job of getting hold of our emotions, but as Graham says, “it wasn’t just an emotion that put Christ on the cross…it was an act of God who loves the world…”. Look deeper at what took place. Look beyond the emotions and let the Spirit speak to your mind and your heart.
Perhaps one reason why we are not somber as we should be in regard to Easter is because of the cross and all it means. I’m speaking now, of beyond the cross. J.B. Phillips translates Luke 9:23 this way, “…If anyone wants to follow in my footsteps, he must give up all right to himself, carry his cross every day and keep close behind me.” That cross, though it is not the same as the Lord’s it has some of the same purposes–crucifying the self. Harbuck, in his translation, put is more succinctly, “…If anyone chooses to be My disciple, he/she must refuse to follow a path of self-interests, and pick up his/her cross and carry it–(that is, take on the responsibility and burdens of strict discipleship) daily, and unwaveringly follow Me [with the full awareness of what I command]…”. Let that sink in for a few moments.
The ancient Hebrews were so tied by tradition they couldn’t recognize the Messiah when he was right there in front of them, and he was crucified.
The disciples, who walked and worked with the Christ, were very afraid of him; they hoped, but they also doubted, and they ran that night, and he was crucified.
The common people mobbed him, showed him their sicknesses and sores, and they threw down an aisle of palms for him and sang to him, and he was crucified.
His family was embarrassed, and stood outside, and wished he’d come home, and he was crucified.
Would we crucify Jesus today? It’s not a rhetorical question for the mind to play with.
I believe, We are each born with a body, a mind, a soul, and a handful of nails.
I believe, When a man dies, no one has ever found any nails left–clutched in his hands, or stuffed in his pockets.
(Lois A Cheney, God Is No Fool. Abingdon Press, Nashville, 1969.)
Perhaps, we don’t drive the nails today, instead we are frivolous with the cross. We make overtures to it, but overall we neglect it. The bunnies and baby chicks along with the colorful eggs gain our attention more readily. It is not so painful, and there is not a cross for us to pick up. But for those who do, sing the final stanza of Room At the Cross, with me.
“The hand of my Savior is strong
And the love of my Savior is long.
Through sunshine or rain Through loss or in gain,
The blood flows from Calv’ry to cleanse ev’ry stain.”
———————————–
“The cross upon which Jesus died
Is a shelter in which we can hide.
And its grace so free is sufficient for me,
And deep is its fountain; as wide as the sea.”
–Ira Stanphill
I have thought for years that far too many take this time of the year very flippantly. Even in the church we see more ado about egg hunts, peeps, and chocolate bunnies. These can be fun, if kept in proper perspective and not the focal point of Easter. It is like so many things today. The terms, the events seem to get thrown around and it becomes just another fun day of the year.
Listen, “there is no real love without the cross.” (Jack Graham) Perhaps we ought to sober up and get serious over what took place. Yes, we have films to draw us to the cross, and they do a good job of getting hold of our emotions, but as Graham says, “it wasn’t just an emotion that put Christ on the cross…it was an act of God who loves the world…”. Look deeper at what took place. Look beyond the emotions and let the Spirit speak to your mind and your heart.
Perhaps one reason why we are not somber as we should be in regard to Easter is because of the cross and all it means. I’m speaking now, of beyond the cross. J.B. Phillips translates Luke 9:23 this way, “…If anyone wants to follow in my footsteps, he must give up all right to himself, carry his cross every day and keep close behind me.” That cross, though it is not the same as the Lord’s it has some of the same purposes–crucifying the self. Harbuck, in his translation, put is more succinctly, “…If anyone chooses to be My disciple, he/she must refuse to follow a path of self-interests, and pick up his/her cross and carry it–(that is, take on the responsibility and burdens of strict discipleship) daily, and unwaveringly follow Me [with the full awareness of what I command]…”. Let that sink in for a few moments.
The ancient Hebrews were so tied by tradition they couldn’t recognize the Messiah when he was right there in front of them, and he was crucified.
The disciples, who walked and worked with the Christ, were very afraid of him; they hoped, but they also doubted, and they ran that night, and he was crucified.
The common people mobbed him, showed him their sicknesses and sores, and they threw down an aisle of palms for him and sang to him, and he was crucified.
His family was embarrassed, and stood outside, and wished he’d come home, and he was crucified.
Would we crucify Jesus today? It’s not a rhetorical question for the mind to play with.
I believe, We are each born with a body, a mind, a soul, and a handful of nails.
I believe, When a man dies, no one has ever found any nails left–clutched in his hands, or stuffed in his pockets.
(Lois A Cheney, God Is No Fool. Abingdon Press, Nashville, 1969.)
Perhaps, we don’t drive the nails today, instead we are frivolous with the cross. We make overtures to it, but overall we neglect it. The bunnies and baby chicks along with the colorful eggs gain our attention more readily. It is not so painful, and there is not a cross for us to pick up. But for those who do, sing the final stanza of Room At the Cross, with me.
“The hand of my Savior is strong
And the love of my Savior is long.
Through sunshine or rain Through loss or in gain,
The blood flows from Calv’ry to cleanse ev’ry stain.”