CROSS IS OUR WAY

 

     *CROSS IS OUR WAY* (Luke 22:35-38)

Jesus is giving a chance to self reflect, when he asked to go without taking anything did they suffer any lacking?  No.

But Now the one who have purse of money take it
One who have bag of provision,take it
One who have sword,take it
If u need sword,sell even your Cloak to get one.
The time has come.. challenges and persecution,
What were they intending to get? What was their focus?

They still focused on material things.

It was the time,the hour, Jesus is offering himself to be the fulfilment of the Word- emptying himself to be counted among the lawless and sinners, one among us.

What was his way and focus? Sword, money or bag?
His way was CROSS , focus was in fulfilling Fathers will in Faith.

The scenario changes after Jesus offered himself. The followers of Jesus have to endure the same way.  Persecution, abandonment, crushing of flesh.
*In whom or in what are we putting trust?*

Let us reflect on Jesus. Despite all crushing and counting among criminals,Jesus put his trust in father in heaven, in his word and strength. He commended his soul to father and forgave everyone 
"he poured out his life unto death,
    and was numbered with the transgressors.
    For he bore the sin of many,
        and made intercession for the transgressors."(Isaiah 53:12)

As they put trust in flesh, they were scattered.Jesus was predicting it. Jesus prayed for them not to shatter in faith in time of challenges, when evil takes his tricks.

He was showing them about their life in Christ- crucifying flesh.. and they will have to face persecution, being counted among lawless and crushing of flesh just like him. Jesus was examining their trust..'which was still on flesh'. They still  focused on material things.  Jesus knows says Your flesh is weak but spirit is strong,so pray not to be put to test.

They couldn't withstand as they have not become one in Christ. Jesus knew it. That's why he prayed(john 17). He gave his word, his name,  he offered his body and blood,the new covenant for each of us who choose to believe in Jesus.

Later when Jesus was glorified, he send the holy spirit, they were empowered by the holy spirit , purified and molded through the ever revealing word of god..to be in constant presence of god..who came into us, which is the only way to outgrow our flesh by spirit, to be one in Christ.Faith has to be tested and made firm fixed on Jesus who accomplished everything for us. Now we have received grace and power to fulfill the word.

So, At all times of persecution , crushing of flesh ..let us realize it is the decaying  of our body, which has to be decayed like a wheat grain to produce fruits everlasting. And fix us on Jesus cross that pours out grace in holy spirit and word. In that time let us not be like the ones putting trust on flesh and sword or shatter in faith..but cry and pray in faith to lord,  the one who can save us, entrusting our soul to him  * trust in the name of the Lord cut them off*..it is better to put trust in lord than to put trust in humans.

"our faith in Christ who faced everything as human and is interceeding for us in right hand of the father
"the hope to which we are born in resurrection of Jesus,
* clear understanding of our inheritance through Jesus
  *prayer & Thanksgiving ,
  *Our faithfulness and love of God
 
....will make us firm in spirit and to crush flesh.

*be in presence of lord always*..let our soul purify and come out as shining pearls by holy spirit and word of God which is the water and light of our soul..let our body get transparent thinner to allow gods light enter for soul to shine out, drinking living water ,the holy spirit.

Jesus was counted among criminals, crucified.
The One following  Jesus have to face the same way...

*In whom and in what are we going to put trust? What are we going to save? Body or soul?*
*Let us offer ourselves to fulfill the word of God in our life.

Let us reflect on the *life of Francis de Sales*,  were his sword that fell off gave the sign for him to his real way of life- *The Cross*

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.(John 12:24-26)

5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.(1Peter 1:5-7)

You are my King and my God,
who decrees victories for Jacob.
Through you we push back our enemies;
  through your name we trample our foes.
  I put no trust in my bow,
my sword does not bring me victory;
  but you give us victory over our enemies,
  you put our adversaries to shame.
  In God we make our boast all day long,
  and we will praise your name forever.
             (Psalms 44:4-8)
   
Have faith in Jesus and his cross..hold on to his powerful word and amazing holy spirit, the water and light of our soul.

Amen