Enduring the Cross

The Holy One calls to me this morning. I wake up to the
sound of His voice gently pulling me into His presence.

Sleep is a sweet escape from all the concerns of this
earth life. But when there is a battle to be fought and a
war to be won, a sleep escape after the body is rested can
neutralize the warrior.

I am thankful that the Holy One is insistent on our
early morning conferences because there are overwhelming
things to discuss about life these days.

The Lord knows my frame and makes stops along
the journey that allow me to rearrange the weights I am
compelled to carry. He always tells me “His yoke is easy
and his burden is light,” but I insist on bearing burdens not
placed on me by Him.

Quite often my burdens become burdens due to my
perspective. Sandbags around the legs of the eagle are
placed there to strengthen his wings, not to cripple his
ability to soar. A burden or a tool may look the same unless
the purpose for it is defined.

 
The Lord knows I need an attitude adjustment before
I can properly handle the weight, and He speaks directly
about the heaviest burden I bear and opens up a conversation
about the cross.

I find that there is nothing random in God’s economy.
I believe there is eternal, if not, temporal purpose in each
detail of my life. While I cannot see where all the pieces
will ultimately fit, I trust that the Sovereign One knows
and will someday make all things clear to me.

I long to know my Beloved better. I am addicted to His
love and delight in the sacred romance whereby He is not
reluctant to reveal more and more of Himself each and
every day.

Jesus, my Savior, died on a cross for me, so when the
Holy One opens up the subject of the cross, I know He is
going for my heart.

The Holy Spirit begins by speaking His Word. Hebrews
12:2 (NIV), Jesus, who “for the joy set before Him endured
the cross, scorning its shame” but goes on to say to me, “I
know the cross you are bearing for Me.”

The burden instantly becomes less heavy when I see it in
light of our relationship. The enemy of our souls is a liar and
a thief. His primary objective in all our lives is to separate
us from the love of God.

Since God is love and evil cannot separate us from
the love at God’s end, we humans become his target, and
he works relentlessly to manipulate our perspective and
destroy the love relationship with our Creator from our
end. His agenda is to keep the unsaved in darkness and the
saved in doubt about the love of our Creator God.
The death of Jesus on the cross at Calvary represents
the greatest humiliation a human could possibly endure.

 

 Beyond the physical pain of a body tortured beyond
recognition, the emotional toll of being stripped naked for
all eyes to see puts a whole other meaning to the shame
that Jesus suffered. The shame our Savior bore was the
shame that was found in the garden that drove the original
pair to cover themselves with leaves. He bore the shame of
their sin nakedness and ours.

But what was the “joy” spoken of that was set before Him
that enabled my Lord to endure the cross and its shame?

On a human level, we pay great respect to our fallen
heroes; those men and women who give their lives for a
cause. Our government hands out medals to those who
exhibit such courage unto the death. I doubt that, on the
battlefield, our fallen heroes are motivated by that reward.

I would imagine that in the trenches, it’s their heart of love
for the ones they are fighting for that keeps them going.

While the enemy tries to get me to focus on survival,
the Lord speaks to me about His purpose in the war. These
early morning conference calls serve as what might be
considered time in the trenches to evaluate the battle, listen
for the strategy of my commander in chief that will provide
the victory His way, and remember the love that put me
here in the first place.

The Holy One reminds me of my first love. He takes
me back to the One who suffered excruciating agony to
make our relationship with God possible here on earth and
beyond into eternity.

It was His heart of unconditional and ultimate love that
put Him on the cross. But what about the joy that enabled
Him to endure?
 

Was it the sweet anticipation of reunion with the Father
and a return to His throne of glory that brought the joy? 

Was it the sense of the mission about to be accomplished
that brought the joy? Was it knowing that the object of His 

love (us) would be forever in his company that brought
the joy?

My money is on the upcoming joy of His unity with
you and me made possible in no other way than through
the cross. I believe that from the very foundation of the
earth, His motive was to restore paradise lost and reclaim
the intended love relationship with His beloved creation,
man. The love thoughts of you and me able to be with Him
forever brought the joy, and that joy brought the endurance.

“Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for
the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning
its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the
throne of God. Consider him who endured such
opposition from sinful men so that you do not lose
heart.” (Heb 12:2–3, NIV)

Today I am encouraged, and I find more strength to
endure the cross I am bearing. The cross of His suffering
ended in complete victory, as will mine. I realize that
persecution is actually bearable as it unifies me with my
beloved. The joy I find in our sacred romance enables me to
endure the humiliation and pain it might cost.

The Holy Spirit is calling. Can you hear him?