The Cross and the Crown

At the time of the crucifixion, most of the disciples fled in shame and terror. Their beloved rabboni had been found guilty of blasphemy by the religious leaders, then brutally humiliated and destroyed. The manner of his execution heaped contempt upon their anguish: “He that is hanged is accursed of God.” (Deut. 21:23) A sarcastic superscription viciously mocked His claim to kingship. Even John and Mary, though faithfully present to the end, must have despaired of the Enemy’s victory as they beheld Jesus’ lifeless body. All of them had been told, time and again, that this was to happen, that it was all part of the plan. But when faced with the overwhelming evidence of their senses, it was too much to bear, and in spite of the Lord’s previous impartations of prophecy and assurance, hope fled.

How profound must have been their joy at the Resurrection! The grip death held on their hearts was shattered by His greeting: “Peace be unto you.” (John 20:19) They experienced the Joy and the Mystery of the New Covenant: seemingly total defeat followed by an impossible reversal. In His newly created person they beheld the crown—victory, eternal life, the kingdom of heaven.

The disciples had walked with Jesus in the flesh, seen His power, felt His love, received His tutelage in prayer and healing. They had heard His prophecies, and yet their hearts were unable to bear the sight of the cross without failing. Even Cephas--brimming with self-confidence just hours earlier--forsook Jesus and fled in a most cowardly manner. Likewise, life’s greatest trials will surely break me without the intercession of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter and Spirit of Truth—not seen or known by the world (John 14:17). But with the impartation of His peace, the vision of triumph is superimposed on the most excruciating of ordeals, and the longest, darkest night of terror is reduced to a mere moment. Absorbed by this gift, in spite of the acuity of our sufferings, equanimity prevails.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7)—not our faith, but His faith (Eph 2:8). The world of appearances is created out of something deeper (Heb 11:3). He is Master of even the fiercest storm (Matt. 14:30-31). With the gift of His faith (Gal. 5:22) comes the sense of calm confidence in His faithfulness, an unshakeable trust in His promises (Heb. 11:1). Armed with such, no circumstance can overcome us (Eph. 6:16, 1 John 5:4), and the Enemy’s worst can’t leave a mark on His least. I walk in quiet in the center of chaos. I harbor hope in the midst of defeat. I radiate love in the face of hatred. I see the cross and the crown!

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” (Revelations 2:10)