The Way Of The Cross

The Way Of The Cross

Hebrews 12:1-4.

The way of the cross describes the divinely approved trail that leads to eternal life. When Christ said “I am the way” in John 14:6. He meant that the only way to the Father was that which he had walked. Every decision, action, and inaction of the life Christ lived on earth was geared toward one goal- reaching the cross at Calvary.

The foremost requirement to begin walking on this way is to be completely rid of the baggage of sin and self, Matthew 16:24 (Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.); Hebrew 12:1(Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,). There must be a conscious and definite separation from every hindrance identified scripturally and inspired by the Spirit of God- Luke 18:22 (Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.). The other requirement is the virtue of enduring patience. The way of the cross is riddled with unprecedented pain, shame, rejection by the world, and in some cases death- Matthew 7:13,14 (“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”) This is why we need the patience and endurance imparted through the strengthening of the Holy Spirit to brave every onslaught on our way.

Finally, we must set our gaze and our target. Our gaze must be on our forerunner and our target must be the joy that is set upon our victorious arrival at the end of the race. Christ went through the road to Calvary both for our redemption and our example- Hebrews 4:15,16 (For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.). Just as Christ was wary of the devilish device to keep Him from Calvary when Peter began rebuking Him in Matthew 16:21-23, (21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.) there’s a possibility that we might experience some subtle and caring hindrance from those people or things dear to us, nevertheless, we must bravely rebuke these and set ourselves to receive grace to walk this way regardless of what it portends for us. No other way qualifies for the crown than this singular, narrow, and lonely road to the cross.

POEM:                                                                

1. This is the way that my Savior walked,

despite the jeers and the tears to distract,

He quietly and relentlessly walked,

though tired and worn.

One thing was on His mind- the joy and the throne at the end of the way.

2. This is the way ordained for my salvation, and I just need to walk it,

or else I waver and fail, carrying my cross as I onward go,

never to return to the world whence I came from,

looking ahead to the Master’s cheer- welcome home dear child.

The way of the cross leads home eternal.