I am writing this as I sit on a reclining chair. I am wearing a pair of soft sweatpants with a cozy, oversized t-shirt. I am in complete comfort. To be honest, I am dreading having to get up in a little while to change my laundry over. I would like to just take a nap.
In our comfort, we often forget or minimize the calling of the cross. Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20:
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
We have been crucified with Christ. We are to live like Christ because our flesh, our sin nature, is dead. Christ Himself lives through us. How are we to live that way? If we go to the cross, we see what a cross-life looks like practically on earth.
Picture the cross from the viewpoint of Jesus. It is from His position on the cross, we discover our position of living from the cross. Look at the crowds surrounding the cross. See the people around Him and you will see how to minister to those around you as well.
1. Forgave the crowd
Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. (Luke 23: 32-34)
Jesus forgave everyone. He is experiencing the greatest injustice in history as well as suffering horrifically on a cross as the wrath of God was poured out on Him on our behalf. Yet, He forgave all of those who did this to Him. We are to forgive ALL. It does not matter what they have done or not done. The cross first and foremost represents forgiveness. To live the cross life, we must forgive others.
2. Formed a new family
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. (John 19:25-27)
Jesus did not abandon His mother. Instead, He gave her to the care of a disciple named John. We, too, are to form new family relations. This is not a novel concept. It is discussed in the Old Testament. We find it in Psalm 68:6:
God sets the lonely in families…
The cross-life means no one is left out. Purposeful action is taken to ensure that everyone has a place, everyone knows they are loved, everyone has meaningful relationships and connections. We are to diligently seek out those on the outskirts and provide a safe place for them to be cared for.
3. Found the lost
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)
Even in the last moments of Jesus, He was still reaching others with eternal life. This thief would have been a horrific criminal to receive the death sentence of crucifixion. Yet, even this thief is offered the gift of salvation. We are to seek those who are lost, who do not know Jesus, and let them know that they, too, can be with Him forever. The cross forgives all their sin, no matter what they have done.
4. Forsaken by God
About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). (Matthew 27:46)
Jesus is quoting the first part of Psalm 22. This psalm begins with loss but ends with triumph.
Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it! (Psalm 22:30-31)
When quoting the first part of the psalm in this time meant you were referring to the entire psalm. Jesus knew the time of being forsaken was not the final word. There are times we will feel forsaken, have unanswered questions, ask God “why”. Even in these times, we must keep an eternal perspective just as Jesus did on the cross. The present might seem like loss and pain, but God has promised to work it for good and for us to experience victory with Him.
5. Felt needs
Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. (John 19:28-29)
The cross-life is not about being superhuman. We need to express our needs and have our needs met so that we can accomplish what God is doing. Jesus needed something to drink so that He could then in turn declare the victory of God!
6. Finished God’s purpose
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:30)
Jesus did not accomplish a few things, but all the things that God had ordained for Him to do. The cry of “It is finished” is a testimony of completing it all. The work was done on earth. Jesus saved mankind. He finished His purpose. The cross-life calls us to finish what we were created to do as well.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:20)
7. Focused on the Father
Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46)
To His dying breath, Jesus was focused on the Father. He trusted the Father and committed Himself to the Lord. Jesus came to reveal the Father to us. We are to be in the same relationship with the Father, trusting and committing ourselves to Him daily in every situation.
Every moment is an opportunity to choose to be comfortable or to take up the cross.
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23)
It may be time to get out of the spiritual recliner of life and position ourselves at the cross. We are not to be in the crowd as spectators looking on, but we are to be seeing people and situations from the perspective of Jesus. What He did there is an example of what He wants us to do daily. The cross-life is Jesus ministering through us to those around us. Let’s get up from the recliner, pick up the cross, and follow Him.