The Triumph of the cross  (600)

Little Tanya seemed to be a healthy baby. Then one terrifying day the mother found her little girl finger-painting in her playpen. Where did the red paint come from?  With horror, the mother discovered that the tip of her daughter's finger was missing. The curly-haired toddler had bitten it off and was smearing her own blood. She felt no pain because leprosy had numbed her nerves.[1]

Tanya was a special patient of Dr. Paul Brand, a renowned surgeon to crippled and forsaken lepers in India. He explains that  leprosy (Hansen's Disease) blocks blood flow, causing nerve endings to die. Since lepers can't feel pain, they have little defense against injury.[2]

This "pain-free existence" is no blessing. In the physical realm, it leads to alienation and death. In the spiritual realm, it illustrates the nature of today's world: numb to sin and evil, and in blind pursuit of pleasure rather than God. Jeremiah described it well:

"Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination?

No! They were not at all ashamed;

Nor did they know how to blush.

Therefore they shall fall..."  Jeremiah 6:15 

In spite of His love for ancient Israel, its growing corruption and idolatry prompted God to withdraw His protection which, in turn, opened the floodgates to enemy forces. But first He  gave His beloved people one more opportunity to repent and find safety. He called them to weep and fast for their sin. But they mocked His love with the famous line: "Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we may die" then partied instead.  [Isaiah 22:12-13]

Like Israel, we live in a world steeped in evil and numb to sin. Facing an epidemic of moral leprosy, few sense their need for God's cross and cleansing. Drunk on the world's seductions, the masses have learned to silence those pangs of guilt that would sweeten repentance and illumine the triumph of the cross.  As in ancient times, they choose "what is right in their own eyes."  Judges 21:25  

Does that sound like America today?

Today, this nation, which God has so richly nurtured and blessed, has only superficial knowledge of our heavenly King who gave His life for us.[3] 

Yet God’s "gift of pain" has drawn many other hearts to the cross. Even now, Christians in Communist North Korea face imprisonment, torture and death for their Lord. Some years ago, a prison guard kicked a woman mercilessly because she had prayed out loud for a tortured child. She and others who refuse to compromise were considered insane. Yet, this persecuted Church gives thanks to God and chooses to live by these five principles:

·         Our persecution and suffering are our joy and honor.

·         We want to accept ridicule, scorn and disadvantages with joy in Jesus' name.

·         As Christians, we want to wipe others' tears away and comfort the suffering.

·         We want to be ready to risk our life because of our love for our neighbor, so that they also become Christians.

·         We want to live our lives according to [God's] standard. [4]

Humbly, they had come to Jesus, who took their sins to the cross. Joyfully, they have given their lives entirely into His hands. Now they serve a hostile world as ambassadors of His kingdom, courageous witnesses to the triumph of the cross and the love of their Savior. 

"...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2