No Cross, No Crown

Hi everyone. It has been too long again. We are at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota right now and will be here at least three weeks. Barb is receiving thirty radiation treatments plus chemotherapy. No cancer, just "suspicious cells" in the bile ducts that must be contained in the liver and prevented from becoming cancerous. Keep praying! They are optimistic that she could get a liver in as little as three to six months. But enough news. Let's move into the Word.

People who have had some great struggles in life are often better for having endured the difficulties. Losses, rejections, disabilities and disappointments can teach us patience, strengthen us spiritually, and make us better, more kindly people.

There is a phrase athletes often use: “No pain, No gain.” Theologians change that and use the phrase “No cross, No crown.” You see it was Christ’s victory over the Cross through the resurrection that proved Him to be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” To that Hebrews 4:14-16 adds, “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Jesus came to earth and lived as a man enduring every temptation and every trial we could ever possibly face. Yet He did not fall to any temptation and He overcame every trial, even the trial and suffering of death on the cross where He endured all of our sin. He was victorious over the cross through His resurrection and His ascension into heaven, where He sits as our High Priest. He cares for you. You can trust Him. That is the whole point of 1 Peter 5:6-7.

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). You are to humble yourself under God’s mighty hand. Trust Him in all things. No matter what trials may beset you, trust God. Look to Jesus your High Priest and trust Him to see you through it. Do this and God will “exalt you in due time” (v. 6). He will give you the “crown of life” (James 1:12) because of your love for Him.

“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). When you trust God fully, as Peter instructed you in verse 6, you will cast all your burdens upon Him. Jesus cares for you. Hebrews 4:14-16 told us just that. Wherever you are, Jesus has been there. He understands, and He wants you to cast those cares upon Him. Give them to Him in prayer, and He will see you through it and give you the crown of life. Hebrews 4:16 concludes, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Do just that. Come to the “throne of grace” in prayer, and you will “obtain mercy,” and you will “find grace to help in time of need.”

That is how you cast your burdens upon Christ; through prayer and trust. Look to Jesus and He will help you through whatever it is you are going through at the time. Look to Jesus and He will give you the “crown of life” (James 1:12). Amen.