“The Cross” – Dr. Tom Milam

“The Cross”

Luke 14:27  and Mark 10:21

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.  Luke 14:27  

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.  Mark 10:21  

You can’t make your own cross to be sufficient, (although unbelief is a master carpenter at cross making).  You can’t choose your own cross through self-will.  Your cross is prepared for you by appointment with divine love, and you may cheerfully accept it by grace and mercy. 

You have been given a choice to carry it as a badge and burden, and not to stand by in unfounded objection to its necessity.  Jesus bids us to shoulder this easy yoke rather than be irritated and annoyed at its appearance.  Do not try to trample it underfoot because it is a bloody sacred thing, and for your obstinancies be counted a rejecter of sanctity and be judged for vain glory.  Do not fall under it in despair of trying to rid yourself of its potent powers. Do not run away in fear of its magnetism; but take it up as a forgiving banner and proudly carry it, and publish its bounty; and bid others to come and see, and go and tell.  Be a follower of Jesus in the truest sense, after all, He was the first cross-bearer.  He leads the way in paths of sorrow; we could not have a better guide.  Since He bore a cross, what nobler burden could we desire?

The way of the cross is actually the way of safety.  We should not fear to tread that sharp-thorn path.  To an obedient bearer, the cross is velvet and padded with feathers. But to the disobedient it is an aggravation and an appallingly heavy and is as rough as rugged iron.  Our fears paint the cross in cold slate gray colors as of cold steel; but it is wooden, a man can carry a wooden cross, because the man Christ Jesus; the man of sorrows tried the load already.  Take up the cross in the spirit of love and compassion and soon you will be so much in love with it that you would not exchange its reproach for all the treasures of the world.

Remember now, Jesus bore it; there is still the aroma of the alabaster box of ointment upon it.  There are still stains of His precious blood and tears there.  Also, remember that soon there will be a crown that follows.  Though its burden is tedious and its weight causes pain, the glory that awaits far exceeds the turmoil of suffering and trouble.

May we bow our spirits in submission to the sovereign Saviour of safety; that we may lay our heads on softer pillows tonight; knowing our way is secure for the duty of tomorrow and the glory of the unforgettable cross.  May we in holy reverence bear it boldly.   2-23-11 Tom Milam