This morning God broke in to my time in His Word while I was digesting these verses below. As I was considering them something happened, and the “lightbulb” went on. Of course, for years we have heard Jesus say, “take up your cross and follow me” but for me at least, it seems to roll right over my thinking. Probable because it is an awfully familiar verse to me. But finally, I got it.
So, what exactly did Jesus mean by this statement? Since we all know “He carried our sins” already on that horrible cross. So, it does not mean that our cross is, “carrying our own sins.” No. But what it certainly does mean is, “rejection, hatred, being misunderstood, spat upon, harmed, beat, thrown in prison, tortured, and murdered” by all who hate the TRUTH. Because this is exactly what happened to Jesus and all before Jesus from, Noah – John the Baptist, and all those who have faithfully followed Jesus Christ throughout history. Therefore, consider these verses below. You will certainly recognize them as prophecies pertaining to Jesus. However, consider this: These are also your statements, from deep within your soul, and from your grieving heart, if your life has been a testimony of God on earth (Jesus in you) through the Spirit of Holiness among a rebellious, God hating, generation. And this is exactly what Jesus was saying. That those who represent Him on earth will naturally overflow with a Holy-Spirit being the same Spirit of Jesus which was rejected and spat upon because the world hates God, who is Holy! The crazy question is, why do we not experience this in America as much as we should? It is because it is hiding right under the surface of all God haters. Which, according to scripture, is everyone opposed to the message of Jesus the Savior and Lord. It’s simply WAITING to erupt when it is squeezed out as it is provoked with the truth. You see it now don’t you? Maybe you even experience it. It will increase ten-fold soon, very soon! It is boiling over, even now…
Are you Jealous for the name of the LORD? Are you anxious for God to be proved true? Are you zealous for His glory to be revealed? Jesus said:
“For zeal for your house has consumed me,” (Ps. 69:9)
“he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men;
a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted” (Isa. 53:2b-4)
“although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.
Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;
he has put him to grief;” (Isa. 53:9b-10a)
“You know my reproach,
and my shame and my dishonor;
my foes are all known to you.
Reproaches have broken my heart,
so that I am in despair.
I looked for pity, but there was none,
and for comforters, but I found none.
They gave me poison for food,
and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink” (Ps 69:19-21)
“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matt. 16:24-26)
So, what am I exactly saying by all this? That throughout the scriptures, and as attested to by history, is that it is a gift and witness of the Holy Spirit to a HOLY, God honoring life which equals: “suffering for the name of Jesus.”
Lastly, I will leave you with a question. If this is not your experience as a disciple of Jesus Christ. If you are not experiencing the persecution of the world in this present hour. In these last days. Then why not? Are you following Him? For, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12) … Stand firm! Look up!
Aletheia: Truth in the Darkness 