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CROSS FIRST, THEN CROWN
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9
Mark 8:32-38

Philippians 2:5-11

 

“…let him deny himself, and take up

his cross, and follow me.”

 

CROSS FIRST, THEN CROWN
 
This divine principle of cross before crown applies not only to Jesus, but also to all His disciples. Jesus said, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:34-36).
 
When Jesus said that He “the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again,” He was rebuked by Peter (Mark 8:31,32). Peter did not want Jesus to go to the cross—to suffer and die, but to wear the crown—to conquer and reign. Peter wanted this because he was thinking of great and grand things for himself, “When Jesus becomes King, I will be His right-hand man.” Jesus could see Peter’s proud and selfish ambition and rebuked him sternly, “Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men” (Mark 8:33).
 
Peter did not see Jesus with eyes of faith. He ought to have understood that humiliation must come before exaltation. Jesus had to fulfil His mission as a Saviour, before He could fulfil His role as a King. Jesus predicted His death and resurrection for the first time here, but He also predicted His return in power and glory (Mark 8:38). Indeed, Jesus will be crowned King of kings and Lord of lords, and rule over all. His second coming will be a glorious and powerful one. He will come into His kingdom (cf. Acts 1:3,6,7,11; 2 Tim 4:1) with His mighty angels (2 Thess 1:7-9), and with rewards (cf. 1 Cor 4:5; 2 Tim 4:8). His first coming was to suffer as a Lamb of God, but His second will be to reign as the Lion from the tribe of Judah. Cross before crown—that is the way of the Lord for us as well.
 
THOUGHT: “And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not…” (Jer 45:5)

PRAYER: Make me a servant like Thee, O Lord.

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