How can an animal as meek as a lamb (and a dead one at that) ever conquer all of the other beastly powers of the world?
This is the paradox of faith. Forsaking all, and living by faith in God rather than money seems to lack common sense. How could it ever work in the real world? But that is where real faith comes in. Not faith in theories, but faith in a living, creative, miracle-working, personal God. Jesus had that kind of faith; to the point of laying down his life in obedience to God the Father. He could have just said he was willing to do it. But when he actually did it, then we saw just how much he loved us.
The resurrection shows God's miraculous power. But the cross shows Jesus' love for us, and his faith in the Father.
St. Paul did not boast about the resurrection of Christ; he boasted about the cross of Christ. He said, "The foolishness of the cross is wiser than the wisdom of men." (I Corinthians 1:23-25)
St. Paul did not boast about the resurrection of Christ; he boasted about the cross of Christ. He said, "The foolishness of the cross is wiser than the wisdom of men." (I Corinthians 1:23-25)
Christ says to take up our cross and follow him. He says if we are ashamed of his teachings, then he will be ashamed of us when he returns. (Luke 9:23-26) Are we ready to follow the Lamb, even if it means death?
The weapons that God uses are not the ones the world uses. (2 Corinthians 10:4) We do not conquer evil with guns or legislation. And no amount of money will buy revival.
Evil can only be conquered through the cross; a cross which we have been called to take upon ourselves as representatives of the Lamb.
If we are not willing to go to such an extreme, then we are not fit to call ourselves Christians. Jesus said to those who followed him, "If anyone comes to me and does not forsake his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26-27)
"Enter in at the strait gate; for broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many will walk in it. But narrow is the way which leads to life, and few will find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)
The Revelation ends with Jesus riding out on a white horse, followed by a numberless heavenly army, and conquering the Antichrist forces in the famous Battle of Armageddon. But before that can happen, we must be willing to identify with his shame and with his weakness as the Lamb which was slain to free the world from the grip of the devil.
If we are not willing to go to such an extreme, then we are not fit to call ourselves Christians. Jesus said to those who followed him, "If anyone comes to me and does not forsake his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26-27)
"Enter in at the strait gate; for broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many will walk in it. But narrow is the way which leads to life, and few will find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)
The Revelation ends with Jesus riding out on a white horse, followed by a numberless heavenly army, and conquering the Antichrist forces in the famous Battle of Armageddon. But before that can happen, we must be willing to identify with his shame and with his weakness as the Lamb which was slain to free the world from the grip of the devil.
Everyone wants the conquering horseman. That is what the Jews were looking for. But he came as a Lamb instead. Will you accept him and all that he taught? If you will, you can become children of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ! (John 1:11-12)
