Today we are going to see Cross is a symbol of suffering.
Gal 6:14 ‘But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.’
Luke 9:23 And Jesus said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” First step we have to deny ourselves and the second step is to take up the cross daily and then to follow Him. Luke 9:24 ‘For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will safe it.’ We have to carry the cross daily. Are we ready to suffer for the sake of Jesus Christ?
The Lord Jesus Christ has set an example for us to follow. I Peter 2:20, 21 ‘…But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, that is the gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called because Christ also suffered for you leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.’ II Tim 3:12 ‘Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.’ When we do good, when we share the gospel people get agitated and will not listen to us. We should not get upset over it. The Word says in Gal 6:9, ‘And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.’ Jesus suffered much when he was on earth, during his ministry. He was despised, he was mocked he was insulted, he was ridiculed….He was bearing them all to fulfill the Father’s will. Rom 12:17 ‘Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.’ As a true Christian we will have sufferings but the Lord is always with us. He has promised to be with us till the end. Matthew 28:20 ‘And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ The Lord was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the burning fiery furnace and delivered them. He has promised in Isaiah 43:2, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”Our Lord keeps His promises.
Matthew 5:10-12 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.” God has promised so many rewards in heaven to those who conquers in the book of Revelation, chapters2,3: to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God, He will give some of the hidden manna and a white stone with a new name written on it, he will be clothed in white garments and the Lord will never blot his name out of the book of life, the Lord will make him a pillar in the temple of God, the Lord will grant him to sit with Him on his throne. What a blessing!! Matthew 10:22 “You will be hated by all for my sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Hebrew 2:18 ‘For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.’ The Lord is sure to help us. We the children of God have to rise up and shine for Him. How can we run our race? Hebrews 12:2, 3 ‘Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted,’ we have to run the race a) looking to Jesus, b) Considering him (think of him) who endured everything setting an example for us to follow.
May the Lord help us to stand for Him till the end looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith? Let us be true to the calling, to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ.
Memory verse:
லூக்கா 9:23
பின்பு அவர் எல்லாரையும் நோக்கி: ஒருவன் என் பின்னே வர விரும்பினால், அவன் தன்னைத் தான் வெறுத்து, தன் சிலுவையை அனுதினமும் எடுத்துக்கொண்டு, என்னைப் பின்பற்றக்கடவன்.
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Shared by: Lizzie Ignatius, Austin, TX
02-27-2015
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