Here's to the Crown

Here’s to the Crown

There is a biblical and life principle that can be simply stated as, “Cross before Crown.” This principle is played out everywhere from education, athletics, business, and most especially in our accomplishing God’s will. We must endure hardship to get there. And usually, the greater the goal, the tougher the test. But keeping the goal in mind enables us to get through the test.

There are two recent events in our family which have reinforced this principle in my mind: recently our granddaughter completed her high school education with honors and received a large college scholarship. Also recently, our youngest son baptized a “Hell’s Angel” who accepted Christ. Both were the crowning results of endurance. What a joy to see!

The book of Hebrews focuses on endurance. It says of Abraham, “and so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise” (see Hebrews 6:15). It says of Jesus, “Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls” (see Hebrews 12:2-3).

This letter is not primarily about Jesus’ Cross, though we are told to consider it as we face our own. Looking at His Cross helps us to endure ours. He endured His for the joy of pleasing the Father and providing salvation for us. He kept that goal before him, and we must continually consider the possibility that is set before us.

Charles Simpson, Pastoral Letter, June 2008
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