‘The Way of the Cross”

The contemporary church has, in large part, diluted the message of the cross. This is not surprising since human nature tends to pull away from the things that are personally unpleasant, and the way of the cross is individually torturous because it gives validation to suffering and pain. We would just as soon arrive at the empty tomb of Easter without traveling the path to Golgotha. We want the glory without the gory. But Martin Luther warned that the way of Christ the savior is the way of the cross and we dare not ignore it. It is only the cross that imparts the truth of the human condition before God. Jesus, for the sake of the world, actually embraced the agony that awaited Him. “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies it produces many seeds.” John 12:23-24 He prayed the cup of suffering be taken away, but in obedience to the will of God the Father, offered Himself up. He would not turn away from the climax of His ministry. “ Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

Matthew 26:53-45

The profitable aspect of Mel Gibson's film “The Passion of the Christ” is found in the graphic horror of the degree of Jesus' pain. Somehow, as difficult as it is to watch the long, drawn-out scenes of flagellation and crucifixion, the film brutally portrays the terrible price paid for our reclamation. The visualization of the suffering servant touches us deeply. We do not like to think God would require the suffering of his beloved son for our safe eternity, nor do we like to think that suffering is a reality of living. But He did and it is. In the Old Testament book of Leviticus we see a foreshadowing of the price Jesus would have to pay: “For the life of a creature is in the blood and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life.” Leviticus 17:11

God's word does not change, even if it falls out of popular favor from time to time. Jesus said: “In this world you will have trouble…”( John 16:33) this includes the church, and as such, all believers. Hear Jesus' words of warning: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first…I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you…If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also…” John 15:18-20

The people of God have suffered throughout history. In Hebrews, chapter eleven, we hear the sad account of the mistreatment of the faithful: “Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated – the world was not worthy of them…” Hebrews 11:35-38 Unbelievably, more Christians are facing persecution today in the 21 st century than in the entire history of Christianity! The hopeful reality is that throughout the ages the church has emerged from persecution stronger and healthier than before. As an athlete exhausts and punishes his body to grow strong and fast, so the faith of the faithful grows under the great tension of extreme hardship. Jesus promised that he would never leave us. Never are we closer to Jesus Christ than when we suffer, because he suffered more than we are able. It is in suffering and pain we share in Jesus' humanity. The carnal and spiritual kingdoms are at odds by their very nature. The closer we walk with God we are bound to, at some point, walk out of step with the world.

God put us here to worship Him, enjoy the creation, and to proclaim the good news to all nations. It is not an easy task, but nonetheless a great privilege. To be a Christian in the 21 st century has challenges and opportunities as never before in history. If persecution ever comes upon Christians in our society the promises of God's faithfulness will sustain through all trials. We can claim with Jesus: “ I have overcome the world!” John 16:33

  Dear Lord – Thank you for my freedom to worship you in the church of my choice… Please give strength and endurance to those who suffer for their faith in places of less freedom. Amen

Percentage of Pure Live Seed – Similar to germination rate, but even more valuable for greenhouse operations which demand the very highest rate of germination and uniformity for great seedlings. The rate is evaluated after vigorous and repeated screening and sorting of seed lots.