Luke 23:48

LESSONS FROM THE CROSS

‘And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.’

Luke 23:48

We, too, have come together this day to the sight and contemplation of the Cross, and Him Who hangs thereon. We, too, have smote upon our breasts, and bewailed our sins. We are about to return from that sight. Let us take home a few thoughts to stand us in good stead in our Christian conduct in the days that are to come.

I. And first, from this sight of Christ hanging dead upon the Cross, let us go back to our Christian life and work with the strengthened conviction that failure in good is impossible.

II. And this being so with our personal religion, it is so, too, with all efforts for God’s glory in the work and mission of His Church.—It is treason to Him to think otherwise.

III. Thirdly, let us learn the lesson of never indulging in desires for God’s glory, except in God’s own ways.—Even now we can see in some measure that the Cross of Christ did in a signal degree set forth God’s glory and conduce to His honour.

Illustration

‘Let us be very careful about mistaking zeal for our own plans for zeal for God’s glory. One iota of calm perseverance beneath the shame and humiliation of the Cross which Christ has appointed, is worth years of zealous endeavour for our own plans or notions as to how God’s glory is to be advanced. The Apostles would gladly have fought for Christ. One only of them stood beneath the Cross. His bravest and most zealous Apostle denied Him utterly when he saw Him brought to trial. To follow Christ is the Christian’s duty: not to decide in what way Christ’s glory will best be served. It may be that we serve Christ best in absolute quiet, in total self-surrender, and even in withdrawal from all visible work whatever. There are those whose life’s work is like that of Mary and John beneath the Cross on the day of the Crucifixion—to stand there silent and observant in rapt adoration of His total self-surrender. It is ours to offer ourselves. It is His to decide the form of service.’