BEFORE AND AFTER THE CROSS
We live in a world that respects change and transformation. We want to lose wait, dye out hair, etc. and respond to the advertisements that promise us these changes. But when it comes to character, we are often less eager to change. We say, "that's just the way I am." Let us see how the cross changed some and how we must let it change us.
Philippians 3:10 To know Christ is to know him after the resurrection. It is only after understanding the resurrection that true change can take place.
1. I WANT TO KNOW CHRIST
Let us take a look at Jesus' family.
Before the Cross:
John 2:12 Jesus' brothers were with him here. Presumably, they were aware that he had changed water into wine.
Matthew 13:55-57 Jesus' brothers and sisters are mentioned here. They him as their brother but not as the Messiah.
Mark 3:20,21 Jesus' family still does not recognize his full spiritual identity.
John 7:1-5 Jesus' brothers were most likely aware of all that he had been doing, yet still they did not believe in him.
After the Cross:
Acts 1:14 Jesus' family is together with the believers.
1 Corinthians 9:5 Jesus' brothers are, at this point, married, they are disciples, they are married to disciples, and they are travelling around preaching. Truly, this is a great transformation. The resurrection changed them.
Q. Have you changed? Are you different - in the way you think, behave, etc?
Q. Has your change been as radical as that of Jesus' brothers?
Q. Are you different or are you the same?
Q. Has the power of the resurrection had an impact in your life?
2. THE FELLOWSHIP OF SHARING IN HIS SUFFERINGS
Philippians 3:10
Paul does not refer to sharing in Christ's sufferings as a challenge, burden or difficulty, but as fellowship. He had a mature, godly understanding of suffering, and now, so must we.
Let us look at Peter.
Before the Cross:
Matthew 16:13-23
Peter's reaction was normal and natural. This is the way we react before coming into contact with cross. We feel like painful things should not happen to upright, godly people. We think, "how can bad things happen to those on whom the Spirit of God rests?" We do not understand that loved ones will die or that disciples will die.
Why should these things be so strange when they happen to disciples and yet they happen to everyone? What in Scripture tells us that tragedy, trial and tough times will not happen to disciples? (Nothing!)
Peter was to later prove Jesus right in what Jesus said in verse 24. He cut off the ear of one of those who came to arrest Jesus and then denied Jesus three times.
Isaiah 53:4-6
Jesus was stricken, smitten and afflicted. Why? So that he could better understand our challenges. He faced hunger, thirst and pain. Jesus lost his father (Joseph), and his cousin, John the Baptist, was beheaded. He knew what it meant to lose loved ones. But in all his loss and pain, he did not question or doubt God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-9
In our trial god comforts us. We, then, can comfort others who go through what we have experienced. Don't waste your suffering - use it to comfort others.
The different tragedies we face in life do not occur for us to question God and doubt him, but for us to turn to God and also help others through their pain and hardship. When you understand the cross it brings you to maturity in life.
After the Resurrection:
Acts 12:1-7
This is the same Peter who, before the cross, was going on the offensive and cutting off ears at the mere thought of the possibility of being arrested. Here he is calm and at peace under arrest. He is clearly transformed as a result of the resurrection.
We are to honour disciples who have passed on, and learn from their lives.
In dealing with the reality of sad and trying things happening to disciples, we must grow, learn and grow up. Let us allow the cross of Christ to transform us all.