I love Thy cross, the narrow gate, the cosmic great divide,
Between the Lamb and all false hopes, crucifier and crucified
Take heed, disciple, bear thy cross, or up the hammer take
Hang there with Christ in His dark hour, or you will drive the stake

There was a time for Christian music was best suited for soccer moms in their 30s. This verse bucks this trend. The song we have been singing together presents a stark contrast, an ultimatum, a polarization just like Jesus did. One cannot get away with merely hearing lovely music and thought-provoking words when discussing the cross. It has to be brought back to its simple, inescapable destiny: you are either on your way to hanging on the cross, or to hanging someone else on it. This is the offensive message of the Cross.

For those who reject this notion, I invite you to think it through. First off, humanity is fundamentally sinful, and on its way, hopelessly to a rightly deserved death because of our rebellion against God. Whatever the state of our hearts, we find this state of heart in the people recorded during the week of Passover, all coming together to put Jesus to death. Whether we are insecure (Pharisees), curious but distracted (Herod), interested but uncommitted (Jewish palm-branch-wavers), committed but cowardly (disciples of Jesus), politically threatened (religious leaders), following the crowd, (Barabbas release-callers), interested in control and keeping the peace (Romans), or whatever else their hearts may be, all of them together joined with one accord to put the Son of God to death. That makes each group, by default, part of the “crucifier” camp. Apart from the grace of God, which of these camps would you belong to? If you can’t find your camp, look again.

Only the repentant thief on the cross chose to hang there with Christ in His dark hour, rather than continuing to hurl abuse at Him.  He showed us what it is to hope on the Lamb of God, and no false hope. He is the one who was promised paradise. “Up the hammer take” is simply a call to make a clear distinction: don’t kid yourself into thinking that if you’re not carrying your cross, you’re somehow innocent of the blood of those who are being put there still today. For testimonies of those carrying their cross currently, I bid you check out persecution.com, and get the monthly magazine for regular reminders of what following Jesus, carrying your cross, looks like.

Remember, Christ said that the way is narrow that leads to life, and the gate is narrow, and those who find it are few. How many of the numerous “Christians” today are walking this narrow path traced by the groove left by the cross beam trailing behind Jesus? If you are feeling convicted right now, remember what Jesus prayed when He looked out on those who had put him on that cross. “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.” Receive His forgiveness, repent to wherever you last dropped your cross of total surrender to following him with your whole life, pick it up on behalf of your enemies, and follow Him.

Reflection Questions:

• Do you believe there are only two kinds of people in the world, “crucifier” and “crucified”? Why or why not?
• What is the difference between laying your life down for Christ and laying your life down with Christ?
• What is one thing in your life that makes it impossible to pick up your cross and be ready to lay down your life with Christ?