Endure the Cross

Hebr.12:1-2, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the ^[a]author and ^[b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

After writing about many characters who ran the race of faith faithfully in chapter 11, the writer of the book of Hebrews writes about running the race of faith with endurance with our eyes fixed on Jesus. Our Lord endured the cross and tasted resurrection. ‘Endurance’ is a great divine virtue. Its literal meaning is “the ability to continue doing something painful or difficult for a long period of time without complaining.”

There is no Christian life without trials. Christ Himself, being our example,  went through all kinds of trials which any man can ever go through. And the only attitude which can make one go through such phases of life victoriously is ‘endurance’.

Endure the cross for the joy that is set before : Jesus found the cross painful. That’s the reason He prayed for removing the cup from Him (Lk. 22: 42), and then for the Father’s will to happen. He focused on what laid ahead of the cross i.e his own resurrection and the resurrection of all who believed in Him i.e the gift of salvation for the mankind. This gave Him strength and joy and carried the cross joyfully. No trial is pleasant.  But when we realise that the Lord is in control over everything in life and that the promises that lays ahead of us are true, we receive the strength to endure the present painful situations.

Despise not the cross or chastening of the Lord : Hebr.12:6, “My son, do not despise the ^[c]chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; ⁶ For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” Trials might be for one’s faith test or it might be chastening of the Lord. Whatever might be the reason, it causes much pain or losses. Hence, one might despise or hate it. That’s a natural response. But the Word says, “do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by the Lord.” Despise it can be a hindrance for God’s purposes being fulfilled.  For this again, we need to try to see the bigger picture. Hebrews 12:10, “For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.” The only purpose behind the cross we need to carry, the chastisement or trials we need to endure is to partake in His holiness. Its impossible to see God without holiness (Hebr.12:14). And even though tough to accept, the truth is that some aspects of holiness is brought about by the Word, while some by going through trials. In Psalms 119:17, David wrote that it was good for him to be afflicted, for it caused him to learn His law. If this bigger picture gets engraved in our hearts, one will not ‘despise’ the cross one needs to carry and His purposes will be fulfilled.

The other side of the coin is that if one fails to endure the cross, he or she might become bitter…bitter against God, situations and people around. Hebr.12:15, “….looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled…..”. Such attitude can cause one from fall short of the grace of God. We need to look into ourselves very carefully to identify and uproot such, if any.

Endure the cross like a son : Hebr.12:7-8, “ If^[d] you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? ⁸ But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.” Enduring the chastening enables us to become His sons, for no son is without correction from father. By  chastening a son, a father expresses his love and authority over him. At the same time, it brings in much needed corrections, which mere words might never bring in.  Enduring the cross like a son enables one to  receive the heavenly Father’s love.

Endure the cross for His justice to be expressed with His mercy : 1 Cor.11:31-32, “For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. ³² But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.”  Our Lord is merciful but He is also a judge. We have been commanded to examine our own hearts. Yet, being in flesh, we might make blunders. But the Lord being holy, He combines His mercy and justice in a unique way. He being holy, cannot accept unholiness. At the same time, He cannot condemn us, His children, into eternal darkness for His mercy refuses to do that. So by chastising His children, He does justice and at the same time rescues us from condemnation.

King David was anointed by the Lord. He loved the Lord. Yet he fell in sin. He committed adultery and murder. Later, when convicted of sins, he sincerely repented. The Lord forgave him. Yet he had to go through the consequence of sin. He was judged and chastised by the Lord by not allowing the sword to depart from his house all through his life. David endured this till the end. May this divine and true picture of heaven’s intentions be visible to our inner eyes always.

James 1:12, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” Endurance enables one to be approved and accepted by heaven. The ones who are tested can only be trusted. May God strengthen us to endure the cross we need to carry. The One who has allowed us to go through the valleys of life, walks with us, talks to us, strengthens us and delivers us in amazing ways. For He is faithful. Let us trust Him with all our heart and refuse to lean on our own understanding. 

GOD bless us all.