Living the Power of the Cross

Jesus had just finished private conversations with his disciples about the tumultuous times they must endure. Then, he takes a big breath, looks into their eyes, and says these heart-stopping words, “As you know . . . I will be crucified.” (Matthew 26:2)

Matthew, Mark, and Luke each tell us three times that Jesus is headed toward cruel treatment and death. It seems the disciples could not or would not believe it could happen 

“As you know,” Jesus said.  But they didn’t know. Their minds were still fixed on the momentous crowd approval they believed would counter everything the Sanhedrin was trying to do. Did they think he used the crucifixion metaphorically, or did they think the people could prevent it?

Why did Jesus want the disciples to know about his death before it happened? Would it make it any easier? Probably not. Was he testing their understanding? Maybe. Perhaps he told them so that they would know he not only accepted his death as part of his mission but also expected it. He wanted them to know there was no reason for revenge.

We know he was headed to the cross. We sing about it, read about it, and hear sermons about it. We can point fingers at the disciples because they should have known, but we still have to account for what we do with that information.

“As you know . . .” Jesus says to us. But do we know? “Knowledge is power,” Francis Bacon said. So what do we do with that power?

It is a haunting question on this journey to Easter. This is the watershed time for our personal history. Jesus died for me, and he died for you. The key questions we must all answer are these:

• Does his death make a difference in the way I live each day?

• Am I living the abundant, obedient, fruitful life that Jesus made possible on the cross?

Knowing what he did isn’t enough. We must use that knowledge to live the life he came to share. So again, I ask: what difference does Jesus’ death on a cross make for you?

The answer involves our life direction, goals,  priorities, and moral boundaries.  The answer exposes whether we live underpowered or underloved.   Jesus died to point our lives toward God.  He died so that we may live with a power that doesn’t come from our own motivation.  He died so that we would know a love no one can steal.  Living for Jesus, by his power and with his friendship and counsel, is the way we protect ourselves from cerebral answers that don’t translate into action. 

It is good that we will review the death of Jesus this Friday, as it prepares us to wake up to resurrection power. It humbles us to live overwhelmed by the inexhaustible, unmatched, sacrificial, unfailing, resurrecting love of Jesus.

Take the journey.  Review his death and passion.  Let your heart open to everything Jesus wants you to have through his death.  It’s the only way to be ready to celebrate Easter!