Hammer and Nails
By Erik Farstad
"So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself
as well."
2 Corinthians 12:15a
When Christ was hanging on the cross he looked down upon the Roman
guards who nailed Him to the tree. He watched as they pierced His side
with spears. He watched as they just went about their business waiting
for Him to die. What would you be thinking if you were Christ in that
situation? Would you be angry with those guys just laughing at you?
Mad because they pierced your side and tore your flesh from the bone?
What would you say to them? What would your last thoughts be before
death?
It's hard to put yourself in that situation isn't it? Sure it is.
Christ did the amazing on that cross. He looked into the eyes of those
guards and wept for their life, but new His death meant they could have
life. Jesus Christ spent His very life for those that murdered Him!
Why would someone do that? Love. God gave His most precious gift, His
son Jesus Christ, so that we could come to know Him and live with Him in
eternity but not without cost. Love has costs. Love requires
sacrifice. Love requires selflessness. Love requires action.
Today we don't have too many people being murdered on crosses, but we
still have people that try to put us on one. Anger, violence,
arguments, betrayal, selfishness, petty acts, stubbornness, greed; the
list grows as we act upon our sinful nature. We all encounter
situations in life when we are confronted with one or many of these
forms of sin. Each time they happen to you, each time someone uses
these evil tools to put you on your cross what do you do? What do you
think about the person? Are your thoughts of reconciliation, to
confront the person in a Christ-loving manner? Or do you want to lash
back, to put them on their own cross?
It takes a lot of strength to stand up to the "nailing" other people can
have in your life. It is often close friends, love ones or friends from
work. What makes the situation more complex is that many of these
people may not be fellow believers in Christ. If that's the case it's
even more important how you react. I think you see now that
crucifixions are still alive today, they have just taken on different
forms.
Fortunately we have the example of Jesus on the cross to work with. He
won the battle and so can you and I. They key to this victory is to
die! Die to your own thoughts, your own feelings and your own wishes.
Jesus could have climbed down from that cross but he saw the emptiness
in the hearts of those guards and He knew they needed a savior. You too
need to look into the eyes of that person that has hurt you, angered
you, and reach out in love. How do you do this to someone who is so
cruel, hurtful or selfish? Think of them before yourself!
Most people lash out, act selfishly or are cruel based upon their own
frustration and pain. They want to feel better about themselves so they
pull you down or nail you up (on the cross). Then they feel that they
have control over something or someone in their life. If they see that
you are willing to still love them, still work, still move forward in
spite of the situation, it will eventually bring hope to their lives.
And you might be all the hope that they will ever have.
You may have to humble yourself, take insults and go through some tongue
biting of your own, but in the end your work will bring glory to the
Lord above. This is a big task ahead of you, but through prayer and
much practice you too can look into the eyes of your accuser and desire
to love and serve them.
Someone is crucifying you right now; they have the nail and hammer.
What are you thinking?
In Him, "E"