Stuck At The Cross

In my quiet time with the Lord this morning I was studying Psalm 111 and the Lord put a new wrapper on a subject that I have felt very strongly about for a long time. It all started 21 years ago when He first set the beginnings of Walk With God Ministries in my heart. But at the time I didn’t understand it at all. But as the years have gone by He has revealed more of the message to me as I have spent time in His Word. This morning He repeated that message again … many of my children are stuck at the cross.

I have been writing and teaching on this subject for many years and instead of allowing it to become old and worn out God keeps infusing it with new life. Take this morning for example. I was reading a commentary on the Psalms by Donald M. Williams (Communicator’s Commentary) and his words just jumped off the page at me:

The day when I accepted Christ into my heart was the day that God’s provision and attributes became a reality to me. Apart from this all is still “head knowledge.” Unfortunately, many born-again Christians can date their conversion, but can see little of God’s continuing works in their lives.

I truly believe this is the image God sees when He says … many are stuck at the Cross.

The Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt and witnessed His mighty works on their behalf during the journey through the wilderness to the Promised Land.

Ps 111:5-6 He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. 6. He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.

Just like they were delivered from Egypt we have been delivered from sin (our Egypt) by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. But, just like it was for the Israelites, there is so much more for us as we move on from the cross and start our journey to our Promised Land. When they put their faith in His Word and a hoped for Messiah God was faithful to fulfill what He promised; His covenant:

Ps 111:9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.

How much more fulfilled are we, the Believers of today, in the risen Christ? We have His written Word and the witness of those who were with Him and saw Him resurrected. Most importantly we have the witness of what He has done in our personal salvation. But while we remember this and are grateful and thankful for it, it is only the first step. There is a full and rewarding lifetime of experiencing His wondrous works ahead for those who will move on beyond the cross.

In teaching over the years I have shared a vision God gave me concerning this very problem. Let me share that vision with you as I received it:

It began with a picture of Diane and me climbing up a very steep hill with large heavy packs on our backs. They were the large packs you often see used by the mountain climbers who are transporting a lot of equipment and seem to be twice as big as the climber. The burden was so heavy that all we could do was keep our heads down and make one difficult step after another. After a tremendous effort we reached the top and were face to face with a large post in the ground.

As we contemplated the surrounding area in three directions it fell off into steep canyons that seemed bottomless. The fourth direction was a continuation of our climb and the top was covered in clouds. All at once we both looked up from the bottom of the post and looked into the eyes of Jesus hanging on the cross.

Without speaking we knew the only direction was to continue our climb. We both looked into His eyes knowing full well that anything else was unacceptable. We turned to continue our climb and Jesus spoke to us … “Leave them.” We looked again into His eyes and He said, “The burdens are no longer yours, they are mine. Leave them here at the foot of the cross and continue your climb.”

As we dropped the packs the freedom was incredible and we just looked at each other with a peace and joy that was unexplainable. It felt so good to just stand there in His presence and enjoy the freedom of those burdens being off our backs. We stood there for what seemed an eternity basking in the glow of our new found freedom until we became aware of a still small voice. It was barely audible in the midst of our joy but as we paused to listen it became louder.

“You can’t stay here,” it said in a tone that was peaceful yet urgent. “There is much to do on the road that lies ahead and there is not much time.” So we picked up our packs, took hold of each other’s hand and set off on the path that led to the clouds. As we struggled and got a little higher we turned and looked back down with startled amazement. There at the foot of the cross were untold thousands who had not heard the still small voice.

Some were struggling on behind us carrying the same burdens they had refused to drop at the cross. Others were standing there, as we had been, wrapped in the joy of the moment while many were on their way back down the mountain having chosen the wrong direction. Some were without burdens, some had the same ones they struggled uphill with and some had larger ones. In all cases it was harder going down than coming up because they now knew there was another choice.

As I took in this vision the Holy Spirit spoke to me about choices. How many of us refuse to release our burdens no matter what they are? They may be health, family, personal possessions, bad habits, hidden sin, being in control or anger to name a few. These are the ones who go back down the mountain with a heavier burden than when they arrived. They saw the answer but were afraid to continue the climb. While the burdens may be heavy they just can’t give them to someone else. To give up control seems to be too big a price to pay.

The next group was those who were just standing at the foot of the cross.

Unaware that there was a much higher and loftier path to travel, some were there as little children, totally unaware of the challenge to move on. Others wanted to continue the climb but couldn’t seem to get the burdens off their backs. They knew they didn’t want to go back down but letting go of the burdens was a big stumbling block. Some of them were; just like us?

As we looked at each other we realized that we had not left our burdens at the cross. Oh we had dropped them all right but when we realized we needed to move on beyond the cross we picked them up. That is when we noticed those around us going up the hill with their heads up and no packs on their backs. The climb for them was always upward but they had no burden to carry.
I don’t know how much time had gone by when we looked at each other and knew that we needed to go back down to the cross and leave our burdens. The moment we thought it we were instantly back at the cross and the burdens were lying at Jesus feet. He smiled and we heard that still small voice gently rush into our hearts. “Whenever you find a burden on your back just turn and I will be there to take it from you.”

We turned and began the climb up the path into the clouds with a newfound freedom. Peace and joy walked with us as we entered the mist of the high clouds. We didn’t know what burdens we might encounter but we knew that Jesus was there to take them from us. Our task was to follow the path ever upward, through times in the cloudy mist and times in the bright sunshine.

Our hearts were at once filled with joy yet saddened in contemplation of those that still stood at the cross or those that had gone back down the mountain. In our hearts we knew that any we would meet still carrying their burdens had to be told … there is another and better way!

In essence the message was that while we come to the cross with heavy burdens we often fail to drop them at His feet. He bought and paid for them and He doesn’t want us to continue shouldering the load. Many of us drop our burdens there but in a very short time we pick them back up again or we pick up new ones. That is the problem with staying at the cross.

What would have happened to Israel if, after Pharaoh had let them go, they just moved a short distance and camped out? Think about what they would have missed in not witnessing God’s mighty hand on their behalf. Look at the land they would never have inherited. God gave it to them but it was up to them to enter it, subdue it and possess it … all under the direction and provision of His loving and faithful hand.

What Promised Land has God called you to possess? He has saved you from your Egypt (Satan) and delivered you from your burdens (sins). He has given you a personal journey to that Promised Land and He will walk with you every step of the way. He will care for you, protect you and most importantly He will love you without ceasing; whether you take that journey or not. But how much you are going to miss by staying at the cross?

When periods of testing come into my life I am so thankful that I can look back at those times when God delivered me. When there was no food and He brought manna from His storehouse, when there was no water and He brought forth the stream from the rock, when He caused the enemy to flee from me because of His presence and when I was alone in the desert He sat down and comforted me. None of these blessings would I have seen had I stayed at the cross.

Today I encourage you to get up from the foot of the cross and begin your journey. Do you know what the path of that journey is called? It’s called eternity. He gave you eternal life when you first believed but He can’t walk it out for you. Don’t wait for some future time in the “sweet bye and bye” to enjoy eternal life. It is yours today. You possess it as a Believer in Christ. Take that first step into His perfect will for your life and you will be just like the Israelites; you won’t go hungry, you won’t thirst and you won’t be alone. Then when you witness His mighty works on your behalf you will be like Joshua. He didn’t see the giants, he saw God’s hand; the same hand he saw in the wilderness. If he had just spent the last 40 years camped outside the gates of Egypt he would certainly have seen giants just like the others.

Num 14:7-9 And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. 8. If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. 9. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.

Step out and search out the land that God has set before you. It is inhabited with multitudes that need to see the hand of your God. Giants? Yes, but in your heart you have the power to subdue them with love of God that is within you. If God be for you, who can be against you?

Don’t let that love tarry at the foot of the cross.