The act of crucifixion is
one thing, but the spirit in which the crucifixion is to be borne is another.
We will have a better understanding of what it means to walk in a crucified
life by examining Jesus’ character during His final few hours between the Last
Supper and His death on the cross. It will be helpful to note some of the
traits that stand out.
It is a silent spirit. It suffers quietly. A dog or a pig will howl
and squeal at the least pain or fright, but the young lamb suffers in silence.
This crucifixion spirit of Jesus can be snubbed, scolded, criticized,
misunderstood, misrepresented, physically abused and hindered in a thousand
ways without a groan, or a kick, or a trace of rudeness. Even though it wants
to see truth, justice and mercy revealed, it does not become loud and
boisterous about having its rights violated. While it speaks the truth when
someone honestly seeks understanding, it does not try to defend itself when
falsely accused by belligerent and unreceptive people.
It is sworn to eternal submissiveness. It has agreed to die to the ways
of this world. It can have a thousand little treasures, pleasant hopes, and
friendly ties snatched out of its hand without trying to hold on to them. It
gently and sweetly lets everything go with a submissive spirit. It can obey God
and be rushing at full speed on lines of service and duty, and then, at the
touch of God’s providential air brake, it can be brought to a standstill
without having its soul-rest disturbed. Even when it is required to take the
path of suffering, it continues to rest peacefully in the will of its Sovereign
God.
And see, now I
go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem
It is a free spirit. It is no longer affected by the opinions of
others. The only thing that matters is that God’s will is accomplished. Having
overcome the world, it is no longer restrained by what the world considers
appropriate. It has lost complete interest in the pleasures and honors that
come from man. Because it desires to receive the honor that comes from God, it
easily gets by with the simple necessities of life. And regardless of how
difficult the circumstances become, it always possesses a thankful and sweet
disposition.
Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thess. 5:16-18)
It embraces suffering as its natural food. The rugged cross, which
frightens so many Christians, is embraced, because it becomes the means for
entering into an enlarged and sweeter life of love in the Holy Spirit. What
other Christians shun as a hardship, it gladly accepts as an opportunity for
deeper union with God in His heavenly life. It can be bruised and trampled on
by outspoken religionists and continue to walk in a love that never fails. It
naturally desires to have everyone forgiven, even those who have caused the
greatest suffering. “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls;
though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.” (2 Cor 12:15 )
It will not receive human honor into itself. The spirit of
crucifixion finds its highest delight by sinking into God and being little. It
loves to humble itself both before God and man. While it will speak the Word of
God boldly, it also shuns debate and theological argument.
And the servant
of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in
humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them
repentance, so that they may know the truth {and see the light from Christ’s
life}. (2 Tim. 2:24-25)
It is modest and retiring and loves to get out of God’s way and see Him
work. It would rather see the ark capsize than to put forth its finger to
meddle with God’s authority. It does not make others wear its sackcloth; but
rather, it prefers to take on the suffering of others. Its one great desire is
to reveal Christ and draw others into His heavenly life.
When the soul enters
sanctification, it is just the beginning of this spirit of crucifixion which
must be permitted to spread, and intensify, and brighten until it pervades the
whole heart. If it is permitted to develop, it will become a flame of
sacrificial love, which takes hold on all sorts of woes, and troubles, and
mortifications, and pains, and poverty, and hardships, as a very hot fire takes
hold on wet logs and makes out of them fresh fuel to reveal more of God’s holy
love.
This spirit of
crucifixion that was displayed by Jesus during His last few hours of walking on
this earth, is the spirit that opens the gate to the life of heaven without
touching it. This is the spirit that wears out the patience of persecutors,
which softens the heart of stone, that wins its way through a thousand
obstacles, and that makes the soul that possesses it, truly precious in God’s
sight.
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