NO CROSS NO CROWN
With His gaze looking ahead to His inevitable death, Jesus knew what it would take to bring about the fruit of salvation. As the writer of the letter to the Hebrews wrote, “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame...” Christ’s example of self-sacrifice and faithful devotion is not easy, in fact, it is impossible to follow without the Holy Spirit working in us, “to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose,” as Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians. Still He invites us to walk in the Light, and that walking means choosing to deny ourselves and carry our cross, much like Jesus did only a few days later.
Jesus’ call in chapter twelve is a challenge to all who would come after Him as we continue with “Life’s Meaning and Purpose: an in-depth study of the Gospel of John.”
NO CROSS NO CROWN
With His gaze looking ahead to His inevitable death, Jesus knew what it would take to bring about the fruit of salvation. As the writer of the letter to the Hebrews wrote, “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame...” Christ’s example of self-sacrifice and faithful devotion is not easy, in fact, it is impossible to follow without the Holy Spirit working in us, “to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose,” as Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians. Still He invites us to walk in the Light, and that walking means choosing to deny ourselves and carry our cross, much like Jesus did only a few days later.
Jesus’ call in chapter twelve is a challenge to all who would come after Him as we continue with “Life’s Meaning and Purpose: an in-depth study of the Gospel of John.”