Beyond the Cross

Beyond the Cross. I was flipping through the channels the other night and came across an old episode of the World’s Strongest Man competition on ESPN Classic. I stopped to watch for a minute before going to bed. These guys are freaks of nature with their feats of strength. The amount of weight they can lift, push and carry goes beyond human abilities. One of the events was to carry two large weighted objects down and back before they could put it down by crossing the line. The fastest to do it was the winner.

One of the guys dropped one of the weights too early before crossing the line and had to pick up both weights and try a second time to get them both over the finish line. Bringing the weights to the line didn’t count, they had to carry them beyond the line to secure victory.

As Christians, we tend to do the same thing. When Christ tells us to bring the heavy weight of our fears, sorrows and burdens to the foot of the Cross and leave them there, we tend to want to carry them beyond the Cross. Maybe we think that leaving them at the Cross will not secure the victory and that only carrying them farther will do so. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:29-30.

When we bring our burdens to Christ and lay them at His feet, only to pick them up again when we leave, we show a lack in faith that Christ can handle our burdens. God knows us better than anyone and understands what we are going through and He wants to help us through our trials. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” - Hebrews 4:15-16.

Brothers and sisters, bring your burdens to Christ and leave them at the foot of the Cross. He is willing and able to bear all your burdens and make intercession for you to the Father. Do not bear the burden alone and do not pick them back up once you lay them down. We do not need to carry them beyond the Cross.

Have a great day and God bless.