joy of cross bearing

looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

(Hebrews 12:2 NKJV)

Each step exasperated the sting of open wounds. Blood and sweat mingled together as it trickled to the ground. One step and then another until the weight of the cross on His back almost crushed Him.

“You! Carry His cross!” shouted the Roman soldier.

Afraid to object, Simon stepped forward to carry the crimson stained cross of Jesus Christ on his own back (Luke 23:26) Breathless, they trudged up Calvary’s hill where Simon was relieved from his duty of cross bearing. Hammers thundered as they drove long spikes into the hands and feet of Jesus. Open flesh ripped as the cross plunged into the hole in the ground where it stood

How could any of this be joyful? The excruciating pain of a slow death by crucifixion intensified as Jesus gasped for air. That was Friday, a day of darkness and agony.

But Jesus fixed His eyes on Sunday, a day of renewal, resurrection and joy. As Jesus regarded the tears of His mother, He knew that in less than seventy-two hours, He would wipe them away. The Apostle John comforted Mary, confused by the horrors he witnessed, but Jesus knew John would soon understand and rejoice.

Minutes ticked by like hours, but Jesus kept His eye on the prize. Soon, He would sit down on the right hand of God His Father. Jesus’ mind was on Sunday, not Friday.

Jesus instructed His disciples to deny themselves, take up the cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24). Those instructions hold true for us today. We have to bear our own crosses. Crosses of persecution. Crosses of disease and death. Crosses of hardship.

But like Jesus, we can find joy when we remove our eyes from Friday (the present state we are in) and fix our gaze on Sunday (the victory).

As Christians, we follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. We must endure some things. Unpleasant things we don’t like.

But we can find joy in our tribulations.  The writer of Hebrews commanded us to look unto Jesus. In the Greek, that means to look away from something else and to consider it intently, according to Strong’s Lexicon.

We need to follow the example of our Lord and remove our eyes from Friday and fix our eyes on Sunday. Take our eyes off our problems which are temporary and stare at Jesus who is eternal.

Life is difficult, but it’s a small part of a much bigger picture. I don’t know what you are struggling with today, my friend, but let’s change our landscape by looking onto the horizon of eternity. Let’s look to Jesus, the originator and perfecter of our faith.

Lord Jesus, thank You for enduring the judgment of my sin on the cross, so I can know You and have eternal life. Please help me look towards You while I bear my cross. It’s hard for me to focus when everything is falling apart, but I need to keep my eyes fixed on You. Help me! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

DIG DEEPER

Read Matthew 16:24 and Luke 23:26.

HIKING THE TRAIL

What does Friday represent in your life? Now, what will Sunday look like?

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Originally posted on April 2, 2021 @ 3:10 am