The Faith of the Cross

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2015 9:49 pm Post subject: The Faith of the Cross

The Faith of the Cross

Scripture:

The Lord God has opened my ear, and I do not resist: I have not gone back. I have given my body to the strikers, and my cheeks to them that plucked them: I have not turned away my face from them that rebuked me, and spit upon me. The Lord God is my helper, therefore am I not confounded: therefore have I set my face as a most hard rock, and I know that I shall not be confounded. He is near that justifies me, who will contend with me? let us stand together, who is my adversary? let him come near to me. Behold the Lord God is my helper: who is he that shall condemn me? (Isaiah 50:5-9a)

What shall it profit, my brethren, if a man say he has faith, but has not works? Shall faith be able to save him? And if a brother or sister be naked, and want daily food: And one of you say to them: Go in peace, be warmed and filled; yet give them not those things that are necessary for the body, what shall it profit? So faith also, if it have not works, is dead in itself. But some man will say: You have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without works; and I will show you, by works, my faith. ( James 2:14-18 )

And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi. And in the way, he asked his disciples, saying to them: Whom do men say that I am? Who answered him, saying: John the Baptist; but some Elias, and others as one of the prophets. Then he said to them: But whom do you say that I am? Peter answering said to him: You are the Christ. And he strictly charged them that they should not tell any man of him.

And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the ancients and by the high priests, and the scribes, and be killed: and after three days rise again. And he spoke the word openly. And Peter taking him, began to rebuke him. Who turning about and seeing his disciples, threatened Peter, saying: Go behind me, Satan, because you savor not the things that are of God, but that are of men. And calling the multitude together with his disciples, he said to them: If any man will follow me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel, shall save it. (Mark 8:27-35)

Reflection:

The prophecy was not of one who commanded great armies, but of one who stood with faith in the strength of God. Though persecuted by those of the world, the one of courage stood fast, bolstered by the help of the Lord. We might ask ourselves, under what circumstances would we stand with such conviction? Certainly, evil doers may beat us into physical submission, but if He is within our heart, our soul cannot be taken.

As we face the world, we must pray for the wisdom, courage and strength which we may receive only through Him. Through our relationship with Him, we shall be able to stand in faith, blessed by His eternal love. Those who strike at us may have their moment within this world, but the time of their reckoning will come where they shall face the eternity they have brought upon themselves. This, we must leave to God.

As we receive from Him, we should ask ourselves, but what should come from us? Are we here only to ask for relief from our trials, many of which we create through our sin? We should ask, what does He ask of us? If we profess faith, but do not walk by faith, what is the meaning of what we profess? How is it we demonstrate our belief in Him if we ignore His commandments? How is it we demonstrate our belief in Him if we ignore His Word? How is it we demonstrate our belief in Him if we ignore Him?

If we are to live by faith, then, we must allow ourselves to be guided by Him. In prayer, we must listen for His call. We must look for the opportunities to demonstrate our understanding of His Word. As we listen, as we respond to His call, as we do His will, we give testimony to the truth, meaning and strength of our faith. In the moments of how we lead our lives, we demonstrate our belief in Him.

As His disciples followed Him, they knew Jesus was more than a prophet. As He spoke of the trial to come and that He would be killed at the hands of those who rejected Him, they did not comprehend that His rising would conquer death for all who believed in Him. They could only comprehend what they understood of the world. They could not comprehend what the Son of God must do, of what He would do for them so that they could be forgiven of their sins, of what He would do for the whole world so that all who believe in Him might receive eternal life.

Then, He told them what was required of those who wished to follow Him, that they must put aside selfishness and face the challenges set before them. He spoke to them of what demonstrating their belief in Him would mean. He spoke to them of the commitment He desired of them if they are to follow Him to the eternal life to which He seeks to lead them. In time, they would come to understand that there was nothing they could do to purchase a place with Him in heaven, for that was purchased upon the cross for all who believe in Him. The question which will come, though, is how, by what means, did we choose to demonstrate our belief?

In reflection, we must ask ourselves, are we willing to take up our cross to follow Him? Are we able to crucify our sin and all which separates us from Him? Are we able to face persecution in His name? Are we able to set aside the ways of the world so that we may live the way of His Word? Are we able to live as an example of our faith? And should we fail on any given day, are we willing to confess our failing and accept the forgiveness that He offered from the cross?

In prayer, we should converse with Him to learn of what He asks of us. We must listen for where He seeks to guide us and seek understanding of the purpose and missions for which He created us. As we set aside time for Him, He will speak to our heart and grant us the understanding and strength we need.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier