Way of the Cross

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” (John 12:24 NKJV)

What is death anyways? Death is the absence of life. There is physical death as well as spiritual death. Physical death is the cessation of breath. The dead body is buried because it is useless and lifeless. All dies without exception. No one can escape from death. Some live relatively longer and healthier. Some live shorter and in sickness. One undeniable and common thing is that the shadow of death is lurking around all people.

Spiritual death is exactly the same as the physical death except the presence of physical breath. Though physically breathing, a spiritually death person has all kinds of symptoms just as the dead body does. Spiritual death is manifested and seen in emptiness, drabness, meaninglessness, dullness, futility, depression, fear, unrelenting guilt, powerlessness, despair, and the like.

But the Scripture says there is no death in God and the Son Jesus Christ the Lord.  In Christ, death is like a sound sleep (Matthew 9:24, John 11:11). Jesus declares a marvelous statement to the Jews and us in the Gospel of John, saying “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” (John 5:24 NKJV)

When the faith in Christ comes into the dead lives, the iron grip of bondage and slavery under the devil is made loose at all. As Jesus says, when we believed in Him we have passed from death into life. No more death lies ahead of the believers because a new life has begun below, eternal life. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 NKJV)

D. L. Moody said at the close of his death:

"Is this dying? Why this is bliss.
"There is no valley.
"I have been within the gates.
"Earth is receding; Heaven is opening; God is calling; I must go.

We have been made alive through the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. In order to making the dead alive, Christ laid down His life on the cross as the ransom sacrifice. He Himself offered His body as the sin offering in the heavenly temple. And the Father in heaven was fully pleased with the Son’s blood and sealed those who have believed in Him with the Holy Spirit.

Death is in the picture of our salvation. When Christ died in our place, we died with Him. This principle applies to everywhere in life. No death, no life. The cross of Jesus is the way to life. The pride, selfishness, anger, hatred, resentment, revengefulness must be put to death first. It is the most difficult thing for humans to do, denying ourselves and taking up the cross. But without it, no one can follow Jesus. ““If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” (Luke 9:24-24 NKJV)

Jesus Christ made the decision to obey the Father, even the death on the cross. He chose to obey God the Father, even the humiliation, curse, mockery, cruel scourge, and crucifixion. “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” (John 12:24 NKJV) But He rose again from the dead, the firstfruits of the bodily resurrection.

Prophet Isaiah prophesied about the death of Christ some seven hundred years ago. In Isaiah Fifty Third Chapter tells an amazing statement regarding the response of the Father at the death of Christ. Our God pleased to bruise the Son Jesus Christ because it is the only way to save the lost and fallen. He was wounded and oppressed and afflicted, so we are healed.

“Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him;  He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for  sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.” (Isaiah 53:10 NKJV)

This is what we shall continually. Stand fast on the cross of Jesus and receive His eternal life over and over again. Love humiliation and do not be afraid of losing anything, even the life. That is the way of overflowing victory over victory.