Special Mid-Summer Bible Conversation on Hard Sayings in the Bible (Reserve Question B - bear our cross)

 

Reserve B, Jesus said that we each would need to bear our cross daily (Luke 9:23; also 14:27). What it means and what it does not mean:

• In the days that Jesus walked the earth, what did the people understand a cross to be? Jewelry, a logo? No–it is an instrument of torture and execution. 
• In Jesus’ particular circumstance, what did the cross mean?  --For Jesus to be on the torture stake or cross signified the sacrificial death for which He came to earth to live as a human. It was only through such great sacrifice that Jesus could effect the restoration of relationship with our Creator. 
• What does that mean to us in reference to the cross? Look at 1 Corinthians 6. Paul under the guidance of the Holy Spirit was writing to the Corinthian church a strong letter of admonition because of the practices in which they were engaged – practices that were immoral and unloving. He had to re-tell them, and explain to them what it actually meant to be a Christian. That it could only happen because Jesus died for them. But it wasn’t a death like the deaths they were accustomed to. Jesus’ death was one of sacrifice to redeem mankind from God’s wrath because of our sin estate. 
• Also, because it was a redemption and not a ritual, i.e., something of value was exchanged for releasing or libertating someone, look at what Paul is led to write in verses 19-20.  We do not own ourselves, we have no absolute rights to ourselves. As those who are saved and are being sanctified, that life of submission to Christ is what we are to be living daily according to Luke 9:23 (also see Romans 12:1-2). 
• What it does not mean, but what we have been taught to think it means: When Jesus instructed us to bear our cross, He wasn’t talking about people getting on your nerves or having problems, or even having chronic problems with this or that, chronic health issues.  No. Jesus expects those who are saved to be living their lives for Him – sacrificing ourselves, destroying our pride and so-called “rights” to independence. Eve coveted independence, to be her own "captain"; look where that got us. We are instead to live a righteous and holy life – which is opposite of what persons in the world do, which is the essence of the answer in Question E.

Therefore, let us not cheapen Jesus' instructions to us about bearing our cross; do not diminish the seriousness of Jesus' statement with a somewhere-along-the-line made up definition that our cross is some nagging problem or person. Is that why Jesus came to earth?

Special Mid-Summer Bible Conversation on Hard Sayings in the Bible (Reserve Question A - When Two or Three Are Gathered) )

 

Reserve question A – when two or three are gathered there I am also. This phrase has been taken out of context so often by lay and clergy alike that it appears to literally mean just what it says. But does it??

• Read John 17:20-21 first and then re-read, contextualizing with verses 13-23.  Therefore, if Jesus is saying that Christ is in us, then we are never separated from the Lord. He is always present. Ergo, we do not need to add a second or third person in order to experience the presence of Christ.  
• Having laid that foundation, let's read Matthew 18:20. Now, as is very important to do when we come across a hard saying, we need to re-read with the context: verses 15-20. What is being referred to here? Per Mosaic law (Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15, which any Jewish believer would be familiar with, in a trial a minimum of 2 and even better 3 reliable and true witnesses must be brought forward to testify in regards to the matter; a single witness is not enough. Jesus continues that discussion by saying that in His kingdom – the invisible Church and Reign of the Triune God, He is the Lord and Supreme Judge, that we must likewise hold to the standard of 2 or 3 witnesses when we gather to resolve a matter or conflict; Jesus will be present in the role of Judge. We must be informed by the Spirit and the Word and prayer to receive Jesus’ guidance on the matter and proper resolution. 

Therefore, again, please pay attention to the context of a statement or phrase in scripture. For us to say that we have to wait to be joined by an additional 2 or 3 persons to pray, to offer worship, to teach someone, or even read the Bible, is a contradiction of scripture and of who we are in Christ. To tell a person that their worship is only legitimized when joined by 2 others is leading that person astray.