The message of the cross of Jesus/Yeshua is a radical, life-changing one. It is a path that is counter-intuitive and often opposite to how the world does things. It’s not about going along (with the world) to get along, or about being popular with men, but rather aligning oneself with the values and ways of heaven. It is NOT about churches, denominations, rituals or men’s traditions, but something much higher! It’s not about a religion, but a relationship with the Creator of the universe. The way of the cross will transport one into a spiritual dimension that will take one past the impenetrable brick wall called death and into a life of immortality in the kingdom of heaven. This video reveals this hidden and often misunderstood path of how to pick up your cross and follow Yeshua into the blessed dimension of the divine.
This video is also available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Podcasts.
On Apple Podcasts: Find us by using the key search words “Hoshana Rabbah Biblical Resources”.
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.
When life smacks us in the face again and again whether it is weariness in well doing, trials, persecution, health and financial issues, mean words and actions from other people, false accusations or whatever, it is easy to become discouraged. It is only natural to cry out to YHVH Elohim in complain: woe is me!, Sometimes we feel like fighting—punching the adversary in the face. Or perhaps our response to adversities is to run away and to hide like the proverbial child who pulls the bed covers over his face hoping the boogie man or the monster under the bed will magically go away. The author of the biblical psalms was no exception to these normal human reaction to depression and discouragement as a result of attacks by people or difficult life situations.
Give ear to my prayer, O Elohim; and hide not thyself from my supplication. Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise; Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me. My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest. (Ps 55:1–8)
What does the Bible teach us that our reaction should be when we face adverse circumstances and discouragement is the result? Do we fight our adversary, flee the scene, give up or what?
The Bible has much to say about discouragement and weariness. Most importantly, though, it shows us how to keep on moving forward without succumbing to the negative and debilitating human emotions of discouragement, depression and weariness that can so easily beset us and take us down.
Do Not Become Weary in Well-Doing
For the average human, one’s entire life is a struggle against opposing forces like adverse health issues, human relational problems or environmental conditions involving economics, workplace issues or political and social upheaval that unexpectedly envelopes us. For the Christian, the battle is even more intense involving not only physical adversaries and forces, but spiritual ones as well including the world (the spirit of antichrist), the flesh (sin) and the devil and his forces of evil that are ever trying to pull godly people downward. Like the spawning salmon, we have to fight our way upstream against the river’s fierce current to reach our goal, but by the grace or divine enablement of YHVH, the Bible assures us that we can make it. Usually the goal is reached and victory comes only after a long struggle. In the body building community there is a saying: No pain, no gain. This is a truism for all of life’s endeavors and the overall message of Scripture. Nothing worth anything comes without a struggle. For example, the farmer sows his seeds and then has to wait patiently for the harvest to occur hoping that drought, floods, blight, pests or weeds will not obviate all of his hard endeavors produce a crop. It is unrealistic to expect instant gratification in this life and relief from life’s trials and struggles. Christians are called to be people of faith. The ultimate and eternal reward is forthcoming to those who persevere and overcome.
Now that we have identified the problem, which is endemic to the human condition, what is the solution? The Bible offers us some encouraging words in the face of discouragement from life’s struggles.
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Gal 6:9)
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of YHVH, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in YHVH. (1 Cor 15:58)
But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. (2 Thess 3:13)
But there is more for us to consider when dealing with the battles of life that result in weariness and discouragement.
Heaven’s Discipline Is For Our Betterment
Discouragement often occurs out of conflicts with other people. This was the case with Jacob and Esau. Rather than learning from his mistakes, Esau turned away from YHVH because of discouragement and became a profane or secular person. He was a carnally minded and a worldly person who was focused totally on satiating his physical needs and wants with little or no interest in godly things, thus he failed to take to heart YHVH’s chastening and to obey his parents, to make peace with Jacob his brother and ultimately to serve and obey Elohim.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of YHVH, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom YHVH loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, Elohim dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see YHVH: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of Elohim; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. (Heb 12:3–17)
What About When People Treat Us Badly?
A major source of discouragement comes as a result humans mistreating each other. Often those who are closest to us—spouses, children, parents and close friends—are the ones who treat us the worst. Such attacks are the hardest to endure. The psalmist experienced the persecution and betrayal of loved ones and then wrote about the pitiable situation in which he found himself.
Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. (Ps 41:9)
For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of Elohim in company. (Ps 55:12–14)
In my distress I cried unto YHVH, and he heard me. Deliver my soul, O YHVH, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper. Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar! My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war. (Ps 120:1–7)
Yeshua warned his disciples some of their chief adversaries would be those of their own household.
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. (Matt 10:34–39)
The Grace and the Love of Yeshua Will Carry Us Through!
So how do we deal with and overcome weariness and discouragement as a result of the betrayal and persecution of loved ones or even from the chastening that comes from our heavenly Father?
Everyone goes through seasons of discouragement and depression. It is part of the human experience. This can be brought on by personal attacks from other people, weariness of life’s struggles, the negativity and hopelessness of world conditions, health and financial issues and many more things. But Christians don’t need to stay depressed. The Bible reveals a powerful way out of depression and discouragement as this video explains.
The Book of Job is a classic and age old story of religious “experts”, who are actually fools, clashing with the Truth of who Elohim really is. From time immemmorial, finite man has been trying quantify the Creator and stuff him into boxes that can be labeled and marketed for personal gain and glory. Most churches, denominations, seminaries and religious movements are guilty of this. Elohim is much bigger than this and refuses to play this silly and childish game as the Book of Job reveals. He is who he is and he is infinite and his ways are beyond man’s ability to understand. So just shut up, accept him in faith, worship and obey him knowing that he loves you and has your best interests in mind. When you walk with him, no matter what you have to go through, he will lead you to the other side and bless you immensely.
For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. 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 Messiah’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor 12:7–10)
You have no doubt heard the expression, “Take your lemons and make lemonade.” Translated, that means, take the bad things that happen in your life and make something good out of them. Or, to state it another way: find the blessing in every situation in life. That is not always easy to do, especially when you are experiencing trials, persecution or suffering whether it be health issues, financial problems, spiritual attacks, constant danger, civil unrest, pandemics, war, or evil people as well the forces and influences of antichrist societal conditions. Many of these situations are chronic in that they are continual and we are powerless to change or avoid them. What then? As we learn from Paul’s thorn in the flesh passage in 2 Corinthians 12, when YHVH is in the picture of your life, the spiritual lemons can become lemonade, and out weakness comes strength. Or to put another way, YHVH gives beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Isa 61:3)! Let us now explore the implications and dynamics of this powerful concept and discover how to move into this place of strength and blessing out of weakness.
It is pointless to speculate as to what Paul’s thorn in the flesh or messenger of Satan was that was chronically afflicting him (2 Cor 12:7). Whether it was a physical disability, another person to whom he was irrevocably yoked such as an unbelieving wife or some other life situation over which he had no control, we do not know. But there is one thing we can deduce from this scripture passage. This thorn over which he had no control provided an opportunity for the devil to continually torment him. It was like a spiritual open door in his life over which he had no control that allowed the enemy to attack him directly and continually. Thus he had no choice but to endure it, since this was the proverbial hand of cards life had dealt him, and YHVH allowed it and for is spiritual betterment. (The same thing happened to Job!) As such, Paul took his proverbial lemons and made lemonade. That is, he took this weakness in his life and by the grace of YHVH turned it into a spiritual strength. To apply another metaphor to this discussion, instead of lamenting over his situation with a woe-is-me victim mentality or instead of seeing the glass as half empty, he chose the higher road of seeing the glass as being half-full. He chose to find the blessing in his difficult situation. He realized that this was an opportunity for spiritual refinement and strength building for the glory of Yeshua in spite of his trying situation. And after all, didn’t Yeshua have to walk down this same road himself? Being in the flesh and divesting himself of his glory was his monumental, and not to be underestimated “thorn in the flesh” . Yet it was necessary that he endure this physical existence all the way to the cross where he was murdered by the same humans he had created ex nihlo. He had to drink this cup of suffering in order to be our Savior. If he did this for us, can we, for his sake, not endure small amount of buffeting that we experience in our life?
There are several things that a thorn in the flesh is not. It is not normal trials, suffering, persecution or tribulations that come as a result of being a serious the Christian (1 Pet 4:12–14). Also it is not suffering for the consequences of our own wrong actions (1 Pet 4:15). Rather, it is a specific situation that we cannot change, and which YHVH allows to remain in our lives for our spiritual refinement. At the same time, it is true that even in non thorn-in-the-flesh situations including the normal trials, persecution and suffering of this life, we still can learn to find the blessing and YHVH’s higher purpose four us in these as well.
The Example of Yeshua Being Humbled
It goes without saying that as Christians that Yeshua is our ultimate example to follow. When we came into a covenant relationship with him, we were baptized not only into his life, but also into his death and resurrection. There is no resurrection without death first. That means embracing the process of dying to self and all that it entails—not an easy process! Yeshua was made complete through humbling by taking on the weakness of humanity and enduring the shame and ignominy of ridicule, false accusation, blasphemy, rejection, betrayal and ultimately murder.
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Messiah Yeshua, 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… (Phil 2:3–9)
He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. (Isa 53:3)
Then He answered and told them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt? (Mark 9:12)
For even The Messiah did not please Himself; but as it is written, “THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME.” (Rom 15:3)
For you know the grace of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. (2 Cor 8:9)
Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil… (Heb 2:14)
[L]ooking 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. (Heb 12:2)
Also consider the following Scriptures.
And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:44–45)
For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves. (Luke 22:7)
For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. (John 6:38)
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. (John 13:14)
Now I say that Yeshua the Messiah has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of Elohim, to confirm the promises made to the fathers… (Rom 15:8)
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Heb 4:15)
[T]hough He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him… (Heb 5:8–9)
If we are to walk with Yeshua and as he walked, will not the same occur to us? Is this not the ultimate laying down of one’s life, as he did? Is this not being conformed to his death in order to gain the highest reward? After all, Yeshua paved the way for his soon to be glorified and resurrected saints when he resurrected from the head, ascended to heaven where he is now at the right hand of his Father. A similar reward awaits those now who have put their faith in him and are overcoming the constant attacks of the world, flesh and the devil.
