The Choice For The Cross

“Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” Hebrews 13:13-14

Once to every man and nation,
comes the moment to decide,
in the strife of truth with falsehood,
for the good or evil side.

James Russell Lowell’s poem is eloquent and effective for a patriot, but it’s not entirely accurate for a Christian, for the choice to stand with God or against Him is not a one-time deal but a many-times-a-day decision—a decision which displays our commitment and our motivation.

In Old Testament times, the body of the animal used for the sin sacrifice on the Day of Atonement was burned outside the camp. To be outside the camp or outside a city was considered unacceptable and dishonorable. But, “Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood”(Heb. 13:12). The image of the cross on a hill outside of town—a shameful and ignoble way to die—shows us that identification with Christ will not bring great glory or admiration from the world. But we should still run to Jesus. “Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come”(Hebrews 13:13-14).

As we live the difference Jesus makes, we shouldn’t be surprised when those around us don’t approve or applaud, for the “message of the cross is foolishness” to those who don’t believe(1 Cor. 1:18). But the cheers of men can’t compare to the delight of God. The extravagance of Christ’s sacrifice and our absolute unworthiness of such grace compel us to stake our claim, again and again, outside the camp at the cross.

Ridicule, criticism, laughter, and labeling might follow, but “here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” Our understanding that troubles and trials are temporary encourages us to willingly wave the flag of Christ. It helps us focus on tomorrow while we fulfill our purpose today. We are to be completely His—even if it hurts—not just on Sunday or when surrounded by a safe Christian crowd, but the rest of the week too when we’re the only one, or one of only a few, whose participation and priorities are noticeably different because of our devotion to Christ.

When your decisions bring disgrace or disdain, remember the early Christians, who, after being flogged for their outspoken faith in Jesus, “left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name”(Acts 5:41). Be glad God thinks enough of you to let hurt for Him, and know that nothing you give up is worth hanging onto. Though we live in the now, we don’t live for the now. The best is yet to come.

When you must choose between loyalty to Christ and allegiance to the crowd, take the lonely road. Jesus already walked it for us, and we should gratefully follow.