“…always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you” (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).
The minister is to be a dying man. He dies so that others may live. O, he may not in actuality go to his death as a martyr (though that may indeed be the case). Yet, in his soul he is resigned each day to give up his life- his comfort, his reputation, his agenda, his safety, and yes, his physical life- if by this the life that comes through the gospel may be brought to those dead in their trespasses. In this he serves as a living imprint of his Master, who from birth had set before him the cross- that bloody device of torture and execution- and who for the joy set before him marched toward it resolutely. Let all ministers and those preparing for the ministry recall: the model of ministry is the crucified Savior. Therefore, let us put away sloth and ease, fear and all inordinate comfort, and set forth on the Crossway, dying that others might live.
O God- forgive us that we seek comfort rather than the cross. Grant that we might be more like your beloved Son, who gave his life for ours. Amen.
I was struck by some verses that I had heard in sequence recently. Maybe it was during the sermon on Sunday, I am not sure...but what struck me is that in Hebrews 12:1-3 we are exhorted to throw off everything that hinders, ...fix our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith "who for the JOY set before Him endured..." Then, Nehemiah 8:10 says, "The JOY of the LORD is my strength." SO what hit me was..."the joy OF the LORD" is maybe not referring so much to MY joy OF HIM, but HIS JOY that I can now behold.
ReplyDeleteI had thought, "Yes, the joy of the LORD IS my strength!" But last week, I realized it's the JOY itself that is so elusive that unless we grasp it as HIS JOY, we can't really hang on to it. Sort of like, when we rely on our faith rather than "fixing our eyes on the AUTHOR and PERFECTER" of it! He is the FAITHFUL ONE, our faith will fail us if we focus on it...but He is Unfailing. :)
See what I am saying? Hope this makes some sense. Anyway, just struck me that it is HIS JOY that is so powerful and truly helps us to endure -- it is HIS JOY which, when truly we behold it, becomes OUR STRENGTH! :)
And in regard to your message...yes...we must "take up our cross" ...daily. Loving your blog! :)