The Price of the Cross
The symbol of the cross is everywhere. It is emblazoned on t-shirts and silver is shaped into beautiful jewelry. We put bumper stickers on our cars and we even decorate our walls with pictures of this most sacred emblem of our faith. But have we forgotten what it actually means? If Jesus had come to us in our modern times, the cross would have been more likened to the electric chair.
That puts a slightly different spin on it, doesn’t it? The electric chair represents death. Punishment. Execution. That’s a very uncomfortable picture, is it not?
When Jesus was talking to his disciples about how He would die, it would have evoked much the same horror we feel at thinking of anyone going to the electric chair–deserved or not.
Matthew 16:21-25
From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
Jesus rebuked Peter because he was thinking with an earthly, short-term perspective. The Jews thought their Messiah would rush in and save them from Roman oppression, and then establish His eternal, earthly kingdom. When Peter said, “Never, Lord, this shall never happen to you,” he was basically saying, “This is not the Gospel I signed up for.”
Luke 9:23
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
“All heaven is interested in the cross of Christ, all hell is terribly afraid of it, while men are the only beings who more or less ignore its meaning” - Charles Oswald
In our comfort-driven culture, we have this idea that God is here for us. Something that struck me as Pastor Jimmy was preaching this Sunday, was when he said this: “If Jesus never did anything else for you but that He saved your life by going to the cross, it would be enough!”
Several months ago I was watching Season 5 of the popular TV series The Chosen. In this theatrical retelling of the events of Jesus’ life, ministry and death, the creators portrayed the disciples reciting a poem called the Dayenu during the Passover meal, or The Last Supper. I literally got goosebumps when I watched this scene, because this poem retells of all that Yahweh did for the Hebrew people as they were brought out of slavery under Egypt, the miracles He did, and the cherished closeness with God they were then able to enjoy in the Promised Land.
The Dayenu would not have been recited during Jesus’ time, but became popular after the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD. However, I love how The Chosen showed this Passover poem that is now tradition to recite during the Seder. Each stanza is read, and then everyone else at the table echoes with, “It would have been enough.”
The Dayenu
Five stanzas of leaving slavery
If He had brought us out of Egypt…”It would have been enough…”
If He had executed justice upon the Egyptians
If He had executed justice upon their gods
If He had slain their first-born
If He had given to us their wealth
Five stanzas of miracles
If He had split the sea for us
If He had led us through on dry land
If He had drowned our oppressors
If He had provided for our needs in the wilderness for 40 years
If He had fed us manna
Five stanzas of being with God
If He had given us Shabbat
If He had led us to Mount Sinai
If He had given us the Torah
If He had brought us into the Land of Israel
If He built the Temple for us
“It Would Have Been Enough…”
This was so profound for me. If Jesus never did anything for me except saving me from the life of sin that was quickly taking me to hell, it would have been enough. My Christian walk is not about me. It’s not about my comfort or my wants and desires. It’s about HIM. It’s about sharing what He has done for me with others, no matter if persecution comes. No matter if people hate me. No matter if it's uncomfortable, or messy, or I give my life.
Jesus never promised that life with Him would be devoid of challenges. In fact, He promised quite the opposite. He promised we would have trouble and hardship, conflict and heartbreak. But he also promised that He would be with us:
John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
“Comfort often talks us out of the cross.” - Pastor Jimmy Weaver
The question is this, my friends. Are you living for yourself or are you living for Him? Are you living a selfish Gospel that is there only to serve your wants, or are you willing to give up all and follow Him?
Are you willing to live like Paul–with constant discomfort and death threats? Are you willing to live like Peter–with the Jewish council constantly coming after him and the other disciples who were preaching in Jerusalem? Are you willing to be a Stephen–who waited tables with no accolades or recognition, and was stoned to death for his faith?
Perhaps we could add this to this famous Passover Seder poem that is now tradition:
If He had been betrayed…it would have been enough
If He had taken 39 stripes that should have been mine…it would have been enough
If He had remained silent in the face of His accusers…it would have been enough
If He had taken up the cross and died a criminal’s death…it would have been enough
If He had risen from the tomb and given us His life…it would have been enough
Read that again and echo with “it would have been enough.” I guarantee that when Jesus was dying on that cross, he looked to each one of his children, past, present, and future and whispered, “It’s worth it.” He went to the cross with the joy of having a restored relationship with each one of us set before Him.
“There are no crown-wearers in heaven who were not cross-bearers here below.” Charles Spurgeon
Jesus gave everything to save us. How much more should we pick up our cross daily and follow Him? It would have been enough if He had only saved us from hell and eternal separation from Him, but it pleases Him to bless us on top of it! How beautiful a Savior we serve! We not only get to come into His Kingdom, where a tiny corner of paradise would have been enough, but He welcomes us in as His children and we get to be in His presence always!
