The Way of the Cross

In Christianity, the symbol of the cross of Jesus Christ or Yeshua the Messiah is everywhere: on church steeples, in churches, on gravestones, hanging from the review mirror of cars, tattooed onto people’s bodies, hanging around the necks of millions of Christians worldwide, behind church pulpits and in countless other places. Moreover, the cross is mentioned from pulpits the world over again and again. But one message concerning the cross is not popular and hardly ever mentioned: it is “the way of the cross.” What is the way of the cross?

 The way of the cross is not a popular message. In fact, it might even turn a lot of potential Christians off to the message of the gospel. For example, a popular Christian evangelistic tract starts out with the following words: “Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.” While this is certainly true, it is not the whole story about the Christian walk. Yeshua never made such a statement to his disciples, for, in a sense, to do so would have constituted a form of false advertising. A bait and switch tactic. Following Yeshua is not easy; rather, it is a rigorous against many adversaries and is full of difficulties. No. Yeshua’s message to his disciples upon calling and then commissioning them was slightly, no radically different, than what contemporary Christianity typically promotes to new converts. By contrast, Yeshua declared,

Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! (Matt 10:16–25)

Yeshua was a realist who was not known for sugarcoating the hard facts of the truth, and as if to make following him even less palatable, we then went on to say,

Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW’; and ‘A MAN’S ENEMIES WILL BE THOSE OF HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. (Matt 10:34–39)

The way of the cross is the way of Yeshua, the way of suffering, death, sorrow, persecution, rejection, grief and tribulation. It is a path that is necessary to walk if one is going to follow him, how to be his true disciple and to receive unimaginable rewards in the life to come. The way of the cross, like so many other aspects of Yeshua teachings was radical and life-changing. In fact, it often involves doing the opposite of what most humans want to do. Heaven’s way of doing things is almost always contrary to man’s way. In the kingdom of Elohim, for example, the way down is the way up. Thus, to embrace the cross is to walk in the footsteps of Yeshua the Messiah. In fact, it is the duty and destiny of his disciples to learn (this does not come automatically or naturally!) to enjoy the ride downward in anticipation of glorious future trek upward into the presence of our Father in heaven. What does this really mean? Yeshua set us the example to follow.

Let this mind be in you which was also in the Messiah Jesus, who, being in the form of Elohim, did not consider it robbery to be equal with Elohim, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore Elohim also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Yeshua every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Yeshua the Messiah is Lord, to the glory of Elohim the Father. (Phil 2:5–8)

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Yeshua, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of Elohim. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. (Heb 12:1–4)

The Way of the Cross Brings Heaven and Earth Together

The cross was a unique way of death and emblematic of what followers of Yeshua must go through in order to be reconciled to YHVH Elohim through the death of Yeshua on the cross. The cross as a means of death is highly metaphorical and symbolic of much. It suspended between heaven and earth like a bridge for man to walk on to reach Elohim in heaven. The vertical of heaven and horizontal of earth are brought together in the cross’ literal configuration, for Yeshua the Messiah as the central figure on the cross was the nexus or connecting point between the earth and heaven.

…and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. (Col 1:20)  

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of Elohim, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Col 2:13–15)  

Dying to and Denying Self

The way of the cross is about dying to self, to the earthly, carnal and sinful. It is about humility and self-negation. It is about placing one’s affections on higher things than this earth has to offer.

And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. (Matt 10:38 ) 

Then Yeshua said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (Matt 16:24)  

When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (Mark 8:34)  

Then Yeshua, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 10:21)  

Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. (Luke 9:23)

And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14:27)

But Elohim forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Gal 6:14)

…and that He might reconcile them both to Elohim in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. (Eph 2:16)  

The Essence of the Gospel Message

The gospel message is about dying to or denying self, turning from or repenting of sin and following Yeshua as he leads the way into his eternal kingdom is the essence of the gospel message.

For the Messiah did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of the Messiah should be made of no effect. (1 Cor 1:17)

The Message of the Cross Is Anathema, Offensive and Scandalous to the Carnal Man

The way of the cross is foolish and scandalous to those who are ignorant of its power and potential.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of Elohim. (1 Cor 1:18)  

And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. (Gal 5:11)  

As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of the Messiah. (Gal 6:12)

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of Elohim… but we preach the Messiah crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, the Messiah the power of Elohim and the wisdom of Elohim. (1 Cor 1:18, 23–24)

The Way of the Cross Brings Persecution

The way of the cross brings division, is unpopular and may even bring hate and persecution even from members of one’s own family.

Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!… Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW’; and ‘A MAN’S ENEMIES WILL BE THOSE OF HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. (Matt 10:16–25, 34–39)

The Way of the Cross—A Portal Into Another Dimension

Yeshua revealed to humanity a different path to the divine that is totally contrary or opposite to man natural inclination. It is a way that is so revolutionary and counter-intuitive to man’s indigenous nature that few humans walk this way. Those who do are often viewed as being at another level. If you are a Catholic, you might even be honored with the title “saint” before your name for living a radical, other-worldly and Christ-like lifestyle. This radical type of living includes such things as:

• Loving your enemies. Praying for them and blessing those who curse you.
• Giving to those who steal from you.
• Turning the other cheek when offended.
• Becoming a servant to become great.
• Giving away your riches, becoming poor and living a life of serving others in order to become spiritually rich.
• Laying down one’s life (symbolically or literally as Yeshua did on both accounts) for one’s friend.
• Finally, dying to self (to your dreams, passions, desires, goals, ambitions) that you may live to follow Yeshua and become what he was and by so doing following him into his Father’s kingdom. 

All of these things are aspects of living the way of the cross, and these are all portals or doorways into another dimension of existence—a higher, spiritual dimension that is closer to Elohim and heaven. Those who follow walk this way or follow the Spirit along this higher path are like the wind. Their ways are impossible to understand and grasp no one knows where they come or go, for their ways are beyond human comprehension, for they walk as the Spirit of YHVH leads them (John 3:5–8). Often they are viewed as being “fools for the Jesus” (1 Cor 1:23; 4:10)

Specifically, dying to and denying oneself is a portal or doorway into another spiritual level that leads to a special relationship with the Messiah himself. How is this? The Scriptures reveal that denying oneself brings the disciple of Yeshua to the following places:

• It makes us worthy of him.

And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy [i.e., deserving, comparable or suitable] of Me. (Matt 10:38)

• It enriches our heavenly bank account by giving us treasure in heaven. This means eternal life and heavenly rewards.

Then Yeshua, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure [i.e., a deposit or wealth] in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 10:21)

• We are reconciled to our Father in heaven thereby coming into a special, forever relationship with him.

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without Elohim in the world: but now in the Messiah Yeshua ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of the Messiah. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both unto Elohim in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of Elohim. (Eph 2:11–19)

• We become a new, divine, eternal, spiritual creation because can now live Messiah in us.

For I through the law died to the law that I might live to Elohim. I have been crucified with the Messiah; it is no longer I who live, but the Messiah lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of Elohim, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Gal 2:19–20)

Therefore, if anyone is in the Messiah, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Cor 5:17)

• We are made alive or are given new life spiritually, then united with Yeshua not only in his death but also in his resurrection resulting a relationship with him with the additional benefits of having one’s past sins wiped out, having future victory over the power of sin and over the powers of Satan that were and are against us including death.

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of Elohim, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened [made alive] together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Col 2:13–15)

• We are made strong spiritually and experience spiritual empowerment.

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of the Messiah may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for the Messiah’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor 12:7–10)

These are a few of the benefits to dying to self—to walking the way of the cross!

The Larger Perspective on the Way of the Cross

Picking up the cross and following Yeshua and dying to self has an end goal. One does not remain dead. As a grain of seed falls to the ground and dies, it has a higher goal in view: to germinate and grow into a mighty plant or even a tree. So it is with those who die to themselves. Yeshua died so that he might be raised up in new life and in so doing he is bringing many people with him into the heaven’s kingdom who themselves have followed him in his footsteps.

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as the Messiah was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Rom 6:4–6)

And they that are the Messiah’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. (Gal 5:24)

But Elohim forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (Gal 6:14)

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of the Messiah: buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of Elohim, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. (Col 2:11–14)

Blessed be the Elohim and Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, the Father of mercies and Elohim of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by Elohim. For as the sufferings of the Messiah abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through the Messiah. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation. For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in Elohim who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many. (2 Cor 1:3–11)

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of Elohim and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Yeshua, that the life of Yeshua also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Yeshua’ sake, that the life of Yeshua also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you. And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I BELIEVED AND THEREFORE I SPOKE,” we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Yeshua will also raise us up with Yeshua, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of Elohim. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Cor 4:7–18)

For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from Elohim, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is Elohim, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of the Messiah, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Cor 5:1–10)