Life After the Cross

Life After the Cross

By Apostle Felix

18  To preach the message of the cross seems like sheer nonsense to those who are on their way to destruction, but to us who are on our way to salvation, it is the mighty power of God released within us. 

19  For it is written: I will dismantle the wisdom of the wise and I will invalidate the intelligence of the scholars. 

1 Corinthians 1: 18, 19

The message of the cross is the power of God released within those who are born of God. The cross is a place of transaction. The powerless was made powerful. Let us look at the life of Peter before the cross. Peter, who was Simon when Christ met him, was a man who had fears and anxieties. He was very compulsive and someone who responded to situations irrationally. Jesus did not call Peter because he was a man of faith. Jesus did not trust in Peter’s abilities, but He trusted in His abilities. He did not call Peter so that He could do it in his power and ability. Jesus knew how frail and hopeless Peter was. All Jesus’ disciples were men they frailties. While He moved with them from place to place, Jesus knew that He had men who could not make it all by themselves. These were mere men, who walked and witnessed outstanding miracles done by Christ. Jesus proved their frailty when He asked them who He was. All of them were dumbfounded, until God, by His own grace revealed who Christ is to Peter. Jesus never said, ‘well done, Peter for your exceptional spirituality. But He attributed the transmission of the revelation to God.

17  Jesus replied, “You are favored and privileged Simeon, son of Jonah! For you didn’t discover this on your own, but my Father in heaven has supernaturally revealed it to you. 

Matthew 16: 17

Jesus acknowledged that it was not by Peter’s ability that he received the revelation. But it was the grace of God that prevailed.

Peter vowed to go all the way with Jesus even unto death. But Jesus did not buy into Peter’s promises because He understood his frailty. He knew that it was impossible to carry the assignment of God before the cross. Jesus, to ease the scandal of denial, He told Peter about his denial of Christ.

33  Then Peter spoke up and said, “Even if all the rest lose their faith and fall away, I will still be beside you, Jesus!” 

34  “Are you sure, Peter?” Jesus said. “In fact, before the rooster crows a few hours from now, you will have denied me three times.” 

35  Peter replied, “I absolutely will never deny you, even if I have to die with you!” And all the others said the same thing.

Matthew 26: 33 – 35 

These were mere men promising to go and die with Christ. We all know the story that Peter denied Jesus three times. At least Peter followed until the courtyard when Jesus was been interrogated. But even at that point, Peter had no power.

56  But all of this fulfills the prophecies of the Scriptures.” At that point all of his disciples ran away and abandoned him.

Matthew 26: 56

A young lady confronted Peter about his association with Jesus. But he denied with curses. This was a man Jesus never gave up and later used mightily.

74  Peter denied it, and using profanity he said, “I don’t know the man!” At that very moment the sound of a crowing rooster pierced the night.

Matthew 26: 74

Jesus was not considering Peter’s powerlessness. He knew that after the cross the same Peter will be a transformed man by the message of the cross. After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples and promised the coming of the Holy Spirit according the Joel’s prophecy.

28  And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 

Joel 2: 28

16  But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 

17  And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 

Acts 2: 16, 17

Peter was a coward before the cross but after the cross he was made courageous and bold by the Holy Spirit. Dear child of God, you on the power side of the cross. You are pre-cross saint. The Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost and He never left. He is here with us forever. After the cross, it is no longer by power or might, but by the Spirit of the Lord. You are an anointed child of God, not with an anointing from Israel but with the Holy Spirit from heaven. Do not be afraid like Peter before the cross. But be like Peter after the cross.