The Cross Isn’t the Ultimate Focus
Andrew, Peter’s brother and disciple of Jesus, was brought up on charges by the Roman government and told to quit teaching Jesus or face a quick sentence of death by a cross. Here was his answer and the rest of the story.
‘I would not have preached the honor and glory of the cross if I feared the death of the cross.’ He was condemned to be crucified for teaching a new sect and taking away the religion of the Roman gods. Andrew, going toward the place of execution and seeing the cross waiting for him, never changed his expression. Neither did he fail in his speech. His body fainted not, nor did his reason fail him, as often happens to men about to die. He said, ‘Oh cross, most welcome and longed for! With a willing mind, joyfully and desirously, I come to you, being the scholar of Him who did hang on you, because I have always been your lover and yearn to embrace you.’
–Matt Brown, Revolutionaries: Men and Women in Every Century Who Advanced Christianity. Skyline Book Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Too many times we refuse to follow God because of the cross in the way while Andrew saw Jesus beyond the cross and welcomed being returned to Him once again. He preferred to be a martyr because he couldn’t live a lie. Reminds me of the old hymn,
Nearer, my God, to Thee; nearer to Thee
Even though it be a cross that raises me…
If you are a scholar of Him who hung on a cross, you won’t back down when faced with one. You will embrace whatever it takes–not because you enjoy the pain, but because your eyes are fixed on the One on the other side in glory.
What are your thoughts? Does this stir something in you like it does me?
Whispers and Shouts #26.
…a short burst of inspiration of what God is speaking to me, a prayer, a quote, a song, or whatever else.
Whoa! That’s where God separated the real from the fake. Only the wisdom of God living within a person can give them that type of courage. The world senses only with the ones of the flesh, we sense with the heart of our Father. May we all be bold in a world that melts in fear of death.
Death can’t separate us from Him so no reason to be scared, right? Yeah! Thank God for His grace to give everything in every situation. Thanks Floyd.
Such conviction and alignment with the Truth that is God is what is required of those who would follow Him.
It’s not the absence of human emotion but the focus of eternal value.
May our eyes be so set on God.
Dusty Rayburn recently posted..They Marveled
Exactly--he wasn’t a robot and he wasn’t spared from the pain. What was on the other side was worth it and He pressed on. Amen! Thank you, Dusty.
Whenever I see a Cross display with Jesus on it I want to jump down and grab it. Yes Jesus died on the cross so I can have life, but He is not there no more ! He is on the right hand of the Father interceding and sending us his wisdom next to his Father.
True, the cross was not Jesus’ final destination. It reminds us though that nothing can stop the power and love of God. He is relentless! Thanks Andrew.
I want to say I would be faithful and true but learned long time ago not to boast about some things until I know. I will say I want to be found faithful when tough times come and that what enabled me was keeping my eyes on jesus.
bill (cycleguy) recently posted..HodgePodge
Just saw your comment in my email box and had o come back to say “amen”.
I want to be found faithful.
Dusty Rayburn recently posted..They Marveled
I hear you. Peter did a lot of boasting before he could say for certain as well and it didn’t turn out so great. Echoing you and Dusty, I want to be found faithful! Thank you, Bill.