Key Scripture: Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Relevance

Every person on earth has pursued a goal. We begin with an idea, add the required action, and at the end expect a reward for our labour. (That's a highly simplified version.)

One component we rarely factor into our planning is the enduring part of people dissuading us from our cause: 'don't be stupid,' ' do it later,' 'That will never work, ' 'You're just wasting money and time,' and a plethora of other comments designed to keep us from escaping the corral of the ordinary for whatever reason.   

In Jesus' day, the Kingdom Parasites (Scribes, Lawyers, Pharisees, Sadducees, etc.) relentlessly hammered Him to prevent Him from reaching His goal, which was to show that the real kingdom is not a matter of words but of power. For many years, their kingdom was just words and words and more words, like ever-increasing legislation to extract more money, give them more power, and dictate instructions on every part of a Jew's life. In essence, ownership of the people. 

Every instance shows them admonishing Jesus for breaking a tradition or one of their misinterpreted laws. Whether Jesus had been healing someone on the Sabbath Day or not washing His hands before eating, or judging righteously instead of unrighteously as they were, it was all done to get him to cease his pursuit. 

Thankfully, Jesus followed His Father's goal of the Cross. In doing that, He showed us that the cross we bear will also have detractors. The closer we get to the end of the age, the heavier that cross will become and the greater the opposition will be.  

For the express reason that Jesus endured the cross and despised the shame of hanging there, limp, nailed in (where He and the Cross became one), and seemingly powerless, He is now set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

His inheritance came by despising this world's offerings, the mockings and detractors. We take great comfort in the thought that the same Holy Spirit that was in Him is in us and is greater than anything that comes against us. It is for good reason that when we look through the scope of a rifle, the epitome of aim, what we see is a cross. We aim for the cross of Jesus, continually directing and redirecting our lives towards the wonderful closeness, beauty and instruction of our Saviour. 

We're meant to feed off His 'enduring'. It provides great strength in times of need. One thing worth remembering is that Jesus suffered and endured for righteousness sake. If people reject us for being foolish with our mouths or actions, that is self-righteousness and has nothing to do with Jesus, but a lot to do with pride. Thankfully, we can fix that up with repentance and get back to our original target.

There is no shame in the cross—just the shame of not following more determinedly. If only the detractors could see the magnificent Kingdom they are missing out on.

Let's not be distracted from becoming more like Jesus by perceived shame or anything else. There is no purer cause nor delightful goal than what God has in store for us. 

Prayer

Glorious Father, detractors of all levels and powers come against us. Please enable and strengthen us to continue on to your Kingdom through the Cross of Your precious Son. 

Photo by Darren DeLoach