"NOT Happening"

 The Crown Without The Cross?

(Matthew 16:21-28)

Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Matthew 16:23)

The cross is a mark to show the sacrifice Jesus made in paying the penalty for the sin of man. Showing the price through suffering, hardship on the way to the cross and then after three days overcoming both sin and death and rising once again to life. Jesus showing us an example of what it can be like to walk in His way, it comes not with out challenges, trials and tribulation, because the enemy will try and stop anyone who trys to follow Jesus. He is the arch rival, in the fight for the souls of man. 

The crown of righteousness, that Christ received as God said He would sit at the right hand of God in victory, a reward, and glory that was His. It can represent eternal life, spiritual blessings, and the ultimate prize for those who faithfully follow Christ. If you read Psalm 110:1, it refers to who will sit on the right hand of God. "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool."

I do not believe the crown without the cross is possible, because it would suggest it would be  possible to obtain glory and reward without experiencing suffering, hardship, and sacrifice. I would consider this a false promise, the bible says the wages of sin is death, and if we are going to follow Christ we must take up our cross and follow Him. (Matthew 16:24-26)

The enemy would love to trick us into believing that it is okay to seek worldly pleasures and go ahead and live like the devil in our daily activities and we will still get a crown of glory. Friends, without embracing the challenges and hardships that come with following Christ, without the cross to pay the penalty for our sins there will be no crown. Because the world hates those who follow Christ there will be trials and tribulations, just read (John 15:18-25)

As believers we may not have it as bad as Christ had it, because He took our place on the cross, He paid the full price, by Gods grace we were spared death by the cross. But we need to be prepared to take up our cross if we are truly going to follow Him. We must be prepared to suffer for our faith and must understand that true glory comes through embracing the cross.

Listen to Peters confession in (Matthew 16:16), He says, Jesus is the Messiah, He is the "Son of the Living God". Jesus Himself says He will face suffering, death, burial, resurrection and after that He will arise to sit at the right hand of God. Peter’s idea of the kingly Messiah was the same as Satan’s—the crown without the cross. But going to the cross to die for sinful humanity was the primary reason Jesus came. To prevent His crucifixion is what Satan wanted. Jesus recognized that the same satanic source was behind Peter’s rejection of the cross. Therefore Peter was rebuked. when Jesus said get thee behind me satan. (Matthew16:23)

Although we have talked about taking up your cross and following Him, I am here to tell you, the choice I made to follow Christ has become one of the greatest choices I ever made. It has been my greatest joy, as I have grown in Christ I have come to desire Him with all of my heart. When I truly responded to the love of God and gave up on trying to do everything my way I found that my soul yearned after Christ and His righteousness. 

Lord Jesus, help me to consider what believing is you is going to cost me, it tells me to count the cost. I know salvation is free, but to follow you has a cost. But aat the same time time lord help me to count my many blessing I haver gained in taking up my cross daily.  It is in your name I pray AMEN.