SO THAT YOU CAN BEAR IT
Sakkie Parsons
Translated from the Afrikaans Version: Sodat julle dit sal kan verdra
Translator: Lynda Botha
When you read this, and come to a point where you would say, that this is getting too much and you want to stop reading, I want to ask you to please continue reading. I speak from experience and with solid knowledge that our Lord carries us herein as you will see at the end of this letter:
Someone asked my opinion about Luke 6:22-36.
In this section, which is very nicely divided in the New Living Translation, Jesus assured His disciples that their reward for their sacrifices made for His sake will be given to them. He warns people like the Pharisees who were selfish, that they will have to deal with the consequences for living without Him. Jesus also gave different instructions about the way we should live and that we should love our enemies.
Here is how I look at this and other similar statements made by Jesus:
The key for me regarding this and other similar statements made by Jesus lies in a different statement which Jesus made:
LUK 9:23 “Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow Me.”
If you are thinking a couple of the things which are mentioned in Luke 6:22-36 is too heavy for an ordinary Christian, I must alert you now even further.
"There is more to Luke 6:22-36 than meets the eye."
Let me explain:
Many people have read that we need to take up our cross, but I don’t think too many people realizes exactly what is expected of them.
To pick up your cross was interpreted many years ago rather meant that a person was going to die.
Luke 9:23 in The New King James Version interprets this as follow:
LUK 9:23 “Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
If you read Luke 6:22-36, you must understand that for you and me it means “until death”.
For example:
LUKE 6:27-29
27 “But I say to you who hear: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,” (Until death)
28 “bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.” (Until death)
29 “To him who strikes you on the one cheek offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.” (Until death)
Jesus is in everything our example. So, let us quickly look at the example which Jesus sets in a couple of things for us in Luke 6:22-36 which He said we must do.
First example:
LUK 6:27 “But I say to you who hear: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,”
LUK 23:33 “When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed Him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified – one on His right and one on His left.”
LUK 23:34 “Jesus said: “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
In love, even for His enemies, He hanged on the cross (until death) and in love He prayed for His enemies, while he hung on the cross (until death).
Second example:
LUK 6:29 “To him who strikes you on the one cheek offer the other also.”
MAT 26:67 “Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands,”
MAT 26:68 “saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?”
Third example:
LUK 6:29 “… And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.”
MAT 27:35 “Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: They divided My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.”
Do you know what is so absolutely wonderful for me when I read Luke 6: 2-36?
Our Lord, who cannot tell lies, says to me in His Word:
1 COR 10:13 “No temptation (or trial) has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able (tested), but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
I read Luke 6:22-36 and I say to myself:
“Wow Sakkie, thank goodness that our Lord knows your strengths, or is it your weaknesses.”
Then I re-read Luke 6:22-36 and I think of my great hero Paul and I tell myself:
“Wow Sakkie, Paul had to endure most of what was written there more than once – and never failed our Lord.”
I sometimes hear of things happening to a child of the Lord and then my spirit would call out in great awe:
"What tremendous confidence our Lord has in that child of His!"
Without it just being empty words, we must be willing to pick up our cross each day and our Lord will take care of the rest – Even if He must send an angel from Heaven to strengthen us:
LUKE 22:41-43
41 “And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed,”
42 “saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”
43 “Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.”
If I, without it being empty words, really pick up my cross and follow Jesus, He will make sure that the burden is not heavier than what I can handle – Even if He must send somebody like a Simon from Cyrene or a kind-hearted Samaritan to help me:
MRK 15:21 “Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross.”
So child of our Lord, you – who accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour and has truly taken up your cross and follow Jesus, in other words; Walking in His ways – over you I can cry out with great wonderful assurance:
PHI 4:19 “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
PHI 4:20 “Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Yes, how absolutely wonderful to know that I do not have to look at Luke 6:22-36 with anguish in my heart, because I know:
1 COR 10:13 “No temptation (or trial) has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able (tested), but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
The New Living Translation puts it so beautifully:
1 COR 10:13 “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptations to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.”
Greetings,
Sakkie