Jesus' answer to a crossless Christianity

"And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and [of] the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men." Mark 8:31-33 (Read 27-38)

Many churches preach Christ, the Son of God, but fail to preach the cross. They proclaim Christ's love and His acts of compassion on the suffering and downcast but fail to preach His greatest act of love -- bearing upon the cross the guilt and condemnation for the sins of the entire world.

Perhaps it's because they fail to accept and preach God's law in all its severity and do not see mankind's utter depravity and guilt before God and our need for the cross of Christ and the redemption He accomplished for all when He suffered and died there for the sins of all people. Perhaps it's because they fail to understand that, without the cross of Jesus and His blood shed there for the sins of the world, we all stand condemned to the eternal torments of hell for our sinfulness.

When Jesus asked His disciples who they believed He was, Peter rightly answered for all the disciples: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God" (Matt. 16:16). As Jesus said, Peter knew and believed this only because it had been revealed to Him by God the Father in heaven (Matt. 16:17). But, when Jesus began to speak of His coming sufferings, death and resurrection in Jerusalem (Mark 8:31), Peter took Jesus and began to rebuke Him, saying: "Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee" (Matt. 16:22).

How did Jesus respond? We read His answer in the Gospels: "But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men." (Mark 8:33). Peter's understanding and desire was not in accord with God's plan for our salvation but with the thinking and understanding of man and, as such, Peter was not speaking for God but for Satan.

What of churches which preach Christ but not the cross? Are they not doing the same thing? If they fail to preach the law so people know their utter sinfulness and the gospel so people hear and come to know of the redemption Jesus accomplished for all when He suffered and died upon the cross, are they not speaking for Satan rather than for God? Are they not saying the things which appeal to man rather than saying what God has said and done?

St. Paul wrote: "We preach Christ crucified" (1 Cor. 1:23). And, indeed, it is true: "The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (1 Cor. 1:18; cf. v. 23ff.).

And, it is also true that churches like to preach Christianity without the cross of suffering. Some even go so far as to say that once a person becomes a Christian the hardships and troubles in his life will be over.

Again, what does Jesus say? "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it" (Mark 8:34-35).

One cannot become a Christian and avoid the cross. Jesus calls each of us to deny ourself, take up our cross and follow Him, wherever He leads. We are called to lay down and give up the things this world offers and gives and seek after Christ and His kingdom (Matt. 6:33). And, of what benefit will all the blessings of this world be if we lose our own soul?

We are called to follow Christ and hold fast to His Word even though it brings suffering and persecution in this world. Jesus said: "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels" (Mark 8:38).

And so we see, one cannot really have Christ without the cross. It is only through the cross of Christ that we are made acceptable to God and have pardon, forgiveness and life everlasting. And as followers of Christ, we too will have crosses to bear -- death to self and this world, and persecution and suffering for the sake of Christ and His Word. But the way of the cross is the way of life. Only in Christ and the cross do we have the eternal joys of heaven.

Grant that we know You, O Lord, and trust in Your blood shed upon the cross for our sins. Help us to preach the cross that others too might know You and the salvation You have won for all. And make us willing to take up the cross and follow You, wherever You lead us. Amen.

[Devotion by Randy Moll. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible. More devotions at www.goodshepherdrogers.org.]

Editorial on 10/15/2014