Have you ever considered the mystery of a building? If your construction is using stones each one needs to be shaped, and hand chosen to fit in with those adjacent. It’s so much easier if you are using bricks which are all moulded to the same shape and size. Even then they need to be cut to size because of the construction needs. All relate to the cornerstone.
But what about Jesus?
The stone the builders rejected, the same became the head of the corner; And this came about from the Lord, And it is wonderful in our eyes. (Orth. Study Bible) Psalm 117:22
Jesus was rejected by the authorities of the Jewish people who were jealous of the power he was gaining over the people, and shocked at the claims He was making about being the Son of God. He was willingly crucified by the authorities, knowing it was His Father’s will. What would we think if all the human contacts we have made, all those who have been learning from us, all the work we have completed, has to be left behind? What would we do if we know God is asking us to give up our ‘lives’ to save souls? This is what Christ was invited to do by His Father, first in His earthly ministry in teaching and healing, then surrendering all that to the Cross. This is what many have done as martyrs following Christ. The majority of the apostles of Christ died as martyrs, first, in leaving earthly life to share the gospel message in the power of the Holy Spirit, then crucified by authorities who hated them. And through the ages the mystery of Christ’s love, has lived on through those who gave all for God.
Maria Skobstova in Ravensbruck and Maximilian Kolbe in Auschwitz, to name but two, gave their lives in the last century to save particular Jews from death in concentration camps, having lived for God’s Kingdom before being imprisoned. There are many more who gave their lives to save the lives of others, but always with the hope of resurrection because although Christ died He showed the way to Resurrection, which is the promise to all.
What has this got to do with us you may be asking? Deep within us is the image of God, humble, loving and giving. But love is powerless against the ways of the world. So many have rejected this deep desire to be one with God and each other, in order to choose for human will, for worldly power or the temptations of pleasure. All these cause separation from our truth, from God and from others. This can happen even to people in the church – which ever section of it. And often it is more in ignorance than wilful decision that the Cross gets abandoned.
Arrogance, pride and self-righteousness are not Godly features of faith, hope and love! But the image in which we were made, hidden deep in our inner being, usually holds within it our suffering and loss. We need to accept the cross we have suffered, and know that in this we will find ‘the love that will not let us go’. Within our suffering, we find humility through Christ, compassion for others and know the ‘shaping’ that enables us to fit with the Cornerstone. We become the life God made us to be, through praise and worship, and in love, prayer, and service to the broken hearted, alive in Christ.
Its worth remembering that the broken and lost are in all walks of life, though many deny their need and refuse God’s love and gentleness, including us. As we journey in service, we journey to and in our suffering, and thus we will find the broken and lost within ourselves. SelF-righteousness disappears, and all pride goes as we know that but by the love and grace of God, we are guilty of any sin.
As we grow in love, and seek only the will of God to save, then martyrdom is to be deemed a joy. Through prayer, and humble acceptance of each day may we re-find this life, love and wisdom within us. Through prayer, and listening, may we hear again the Truth than speaks into our hearts and forms the rock. Come Lord Jesus. I pray, ‘Lord I believe, help though my unbelief’, and ‘I am willing to be willing…may Your will be done.’
Very true
Thank you Sister Marina
Glory to God for your affirmation. His Word is our truth- and The Word, Christ Himself is our Truth. Lord have mercy on us.
It seems more formal and less human this version
I understand your comment…. if you look at the icon of Christ from Mount Sinai and cover up half the face at a time, you will see that one half looks very severe, the other gentle and welcoming. I have become aware of that- and pray to be warmly held in His grace and will, because I don’t want to be outside it and be judged – and there will be judgement. Lord have mercy.
Although Jesus is of course holy he loves and accepts us in our humanity meets us in our brokeness. Loves accepts and embraces us where we are even if we seemas if we are living our lives in a virtual pigsty spiritual pigsty we are more likely to follow Jesus if we have no status no material thing to loose every one has their place nothing is to be looked down upon he often embraces the rejected and loved us all
Yes you are right….. He does indeed love the broken and lost, that He may bring us back home to the Father’s love and so we can learn to ‘do justly, love mercy and live humbly with God’.
And we have free will. Many who have heard the word of God initially responded, but fell away when the cares of the world or temptations of the flesh pulled them away from His ways. It doesn’t matter how many times we fall, we can always repent and turn back, and with prayer and willingness to be willing, can fight the good fight again so the holy roots can grow deeper.
We cannot really serve others in Christ, till we are secure in our own trust that in Him we can fight the darkness and evil that tempts us to despair. Good strength dear one. May you surrender all striving to His love and truth.
xxxxM