The first cross

In my previous post, which can be viewed here, I described my sobering dream of the tale of two crosses. When I had the dream, I could feel the weight of it. The fire of his words burn us in order to remove everything that hinders and entangles so we can fix our eyes firmly on Jesus, the perfecter of our faith.

We become what we behold. Jesus modeled this journey himself, surrendering his life. Lets look at his journey. What was his motivation for being willing to pay the price? How did prepare himself to walk such a journey?

He surrendered his life for treasure. In the parable of the merchant looking for fine pearls, the merchant sold everything he had and bought the pearl when he found one of great value [Matt 13:45]. The word sold means to "sell into slavery" and comes from the root word "to pierce". The word bought means to "redeem or kinsman redeem". A kinsman redeemer was a relative who pays off the debts of another at their own expense. Who is the treasure in this story? I propose we are. The price we are willing to pay for something is determined by the value we place on it. Jesus paid everything for us, the treasure he values.

He surrendered his life for love. John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. The word gave means to "strike with the palm of a hand or to suffer". He was willing to suffer because he loved so much. He desired for the love of the father to be in us and for unhindered connection and intimacy with us. John 17:26 - I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

He surrendered his life for joy. Heb 12:2 - For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. What was the joy set before him? Intimacy. John 17:24 - Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

How did he prepare himself as he consciously chose to walk this path? Matt 26:36-43 - Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

He took close friends with him. In the garden of Gethsemane he was overcome with sorrow and anguish. He shared the burden by taking Peter, James and John with him to go and pray.

He shared his need. He was vulnerable with his close friends. He poured out his heart to them saying "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."

He prayed to His father. He went three times on his own to pray to the Father for the cup to be taking from him, if possible.

He surrendered his will. Each time he prayed for the cup of suffering to be removed, he ended by saying "not as I will, but as you will."

He received strength. An angel from Heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.

Jesus was betrayed, abandoned, falsely accused, his reputation destroyed, he was humiliated, shamed, beaten and killed. Are we willing to face the same being his disciples, learning to walk as he walked? Do we treasure what he treasures? Do we love what he loves and do we find joy where he finds joy? Are we willing to pay the cost?