Living Life Under the Cross

Living Life Under the Cross

[Answers to questions and other comments for the teacher are in brackets.]

Introduction

Life can be hard. Anyone can see that. All you have to do is look at life going on around you or look at your own life. You will see varying degrees of struggles and problems, pain and suffering. Christians are no different than anyone else when it comes to having problems. Christians, however, see things differently. Christians not only see their problems, they can see what is hiding in those problems. Just as we can see God’s love “hiding” in the suffering of Jesus on the cross, so we can see things of God “hiding” in our own suffering. Martin Luther called this the “Theology of the Cross.” Or we can talk about it in terms of . . .

[Opening Prayer: Gracious Father, we certainly know that we are not immune to the problems of life. We even admit that sometimes they blind us and we do not see You and Your love. Be with us now as we study Your Word. Send Your Holy Spirit to open our eyes so that we who live under the cross might see things differently than the world does. Help us more and more to see what is hidden, to see You and Your love at work in all things, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.]

A Necessary Beginning

Hebrews 11:1 is an important place to start. What does it take to see the things of God hiding in the horribleness of the cross and in the horrible situations life sometimes sends our way?

[The only thing that allows Christians to see what otherwise cannot be seen in difficult situations is our God-given faith. Living life under the cross is living a life of faith in what God accomplished on the cross of His Son and in the promises that find their “Yes” in Him.]

Seeing the Hidden Things of God in the Cross

Looking at the cross of Jesus others might see a battered and beaten man, blood and pain, and a disgusting and bitterly shameful way to die. But the Christian sees things differently, way differently!

Read 1 John 4:9-10. What are some of the things of God seen in the cross according to these verses? Fill in the blank with as many of these things as you can.

We see God’s … ____________________________.

[Some of the answers that may be gleaned from the verses: We see God’s unconditional love. We see God’s Son, more than a mere man. We see new life in Him. We see that we were loved even as sinners. We see the all-sufficient sacrifice paying the price for our sins.]

Seeing the Hidden Things of God in Life under the Cross

Looking at various forms of human suffering...e.g. Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, a terminal illness, a chronic debilitating condition—others might see uselessness, hopelessness, or purposelessness. But the Christian sees things differently, way differently! What are some of the things of God seen in our life under the cross according to the following verses?

[Be sure that everyone understands that when we talk about our suffering under the cross we are talking particularly about the suffering we have as God’s people living under the cross of Jesus because of sin in the world. We are not talking about carrying our own crosses which, Biblically, have to do more with suffering because of our faith.]

2 Corinthians 12:7-9.

Here we see how God can [humble] us in our suffering.

[Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was to keep him from “being conceited” so that he might see the power of God working in weakness. Luther wrote, “It is impossible for a person not to be puffed up by his good works unless he has first been deflated and destroyed by suffering and evil until he knows that he is worthless and that his works are not his but God’s.” (The Theology of Martin Luther by Paul Althaus p. 29)]

John 9:1-3.

Here we see how God can be [glorified] in our suffering.

[The man in John 9 was born blind but not because of some specific sin. It was for a very specific purpose—so Jesus could heal him and the works of God could be seen. His parents undoubtedly suffered much pain because of the plight of their son, but God had a purpose.]

1 Peter 1:7.

Here we see that God strengthens [faith] through suffering.

[Peter tells his readers to rejoice in their salvation even though they are being persecuted. His readers were “resident aliens.” They were probably transported by Rome against their will to help populate another area of the Roman Empire. They were treated as second class citizens. Yet in this persecution, their faith is being refined, made stronger because it is much more precious than gold.]

Hebrews 12:5-7.

Here we see that through suffering God sometimes [disciplines] us.

[God disciplines—trains disciples—through suffering. He does not do this because we are bad. He does it because we are loved. The following three verses show some of the things we are being trained for.]

Romans 5:3-5

Here we see that through suffering God can train us for [living life now].

[Paul points out a process involved in suffering that leads to building up our Christian character and perseverance.]

Hebrews 12:10.

Here we see that through suffering God can train us for [eternal life].

[Above all else, God wants us to “share in His holiness.” God wants us with Him in heaven someday! That’s the bottom line of all that He allows and works in our lives.]

2 Corinthians 1:3-7.

Here we see that through suffering God can train us to [comfort others].

[The comfort we receive from God in our personal suffering becomes comfort we can share with others.]

How We Live Life Under the Cross

Because Christians can see the above through eyes of faith, it can make a difference in how we live our lives in the face of suffering. It is not our circumstances but God’s promises that we focus upon.

Read Romans 12:12 and discuss the three ways of living life under the cross that Paul mentions there.

“joyful in hope” (See also Romans 8:31-32.) One of the reasons people despair when they are suffering is that they see no hope, no purpose in it all. We hear a lot of talk these days about the “quality of life.” More and more it seems medical decisions are being made based on the quality of life rather than upon the value of life. What promise do we have for those whose suffering has robbed them of their joy and hope and makes them feel less valuable? What is it that gives value to human life? (see Isaiah 43:1-2.)

[We are valuable because God did not spare His own Son on the cross to purchase us as His own. He certainly is not going to forsake those for whom He has paid such a high price! Because the greatness of God’s love for us is seen “hidden” in the cross, the cross gives us the certain hope of that love. Unlike the world, our joy is not tied to joyful circumstances or some arbitrary “quality of life.” The world ties joy and happiness and purpose and meaning to certain criteria of physical, emotional, and mental health. When they do, they come to the same conclusion that many did in Nazi Germany that there are certain “lives not worthy of life.” Christian joy, however, is tied to the certain hope that God’s love gives worth and value to human life whether or not it has quality in the eyes of the world. We have hope in the certainty that as long as God gives life, God gives life purpose and meaning. Christian joy is tied to the presence of this hope and not to the absence of pain and suffering.

The Isaiah passage, although directed toward God’s people as a nation, serves as a good summary of what gives us value as His people today—He created us, He redeemed us, and He goes with us.]

“patient in affliction” (See also Romans 8:28.) It is easy for those who are suffering, especially the elderly, to feel like they are alone and not loved or that they are a burden. One of the reasons given for those choosing physician-assisted suicide in Oregon was that people did not want to be a burden on their families. It doesn’t help when we have people like the former governor of Colorado saying that elderly “have a duty to die and get out of the way.” Derek Humphrey, founder of the pro-death Hemlock Society, says that the elderly are “greedy geezers” who are putting a strain on our health care system. What is the promise we have to help people be “patient in affliction”? What can we do to help people be patient in suffering? (Galatians 6:2)

[The promise is that God is at work in our suffering. Luther is to have said, “Affliction is the best book in my library.” He could say that because he understood life under the cross. He understood that just as God was at work in love through the suffering of the cross, so His love is at work in the suffering of His people. God has a way of working in affliction. That is why He never promises his people the absence of affliction. Indeed, Jesus said, “In the world you will have affliction” (John 16:33). Sin sees to that. But Jesus had more to say. “Take heart! I have overcome the world.” The afflictions Christians face become tools in God’s hands of love. This is the view of affliction that life under the cross gives. It is radically different than the world gives. The world sees no purpose in affliction, especially the suffering associated with dying.

In answer to the second question, instead of seeing people as burdens, we can help carry their burdens. Some today define compassion as ending suffering by ending life. Those who live under the cross would define compassion as suffering with people, caring for them, and allowing God to do His work. The God who created the world out of nothing, the God whose mighty power is seen again and again in the pages of Scripture, can certainly accomplish His will even in the most desperate of human conditions.]

“faithful in prayer” (See also Romans 8:26-27.) Sometimes being faithful in prayer is difficult as we live life under the cross. We do not know what to pray or we just can’t seem to pray. What promises do we have that assure us that God hears our prayers?

[Even when we do not know what we ought to pray, God’s Spirit intercedes on our behalf. He makes our request known to God. It is always comforting when someone says, “I am praying for you.” How much more comforting to know that the Holy Spirit is praying for us!]

Discussion

Life can be hard. Anyone can see that. But Christians see things differently when it comes to dealing with the difficulties of life. As time permits, discuss some of the following based on the study above. What does the Christian “see” in these situations?

A teen in your congregation’s youth group becomes pregnant. What does the Christian see?

[Christians see that a sin has been committed, and it should alert them to promote or continue to promote Gospel motivated chastity programs within their church. Christians also see a young person(s) who is in need of love, forgiveness, and support, not only to make a choice that gives life, but in real practical ways once that choice is made. Lutherans For Life understands that it is not enough to love her pre-born child. We are to love them both. You may want to use, or alert the class to, the resources Lutherans For Life has to offer our teens. See our Educational Resource Catalog. Available free by calling 888-364-5433.]

In a small-group Bible study, a woman tearfully admits that she had an abortion when she was younger. What does the Christian see?

[The Christian sees someone who has been crushed by sin, someone who does not need to be told what she did was wrong. She does not need to hear condemnation but that there “is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). The Christian sees someone in desperate need of hope. One common feeling among post-abortive women is that the sin of abortion seems too big to be forgiven. They need the assurance and reassurance of God’s love and forgiveness in Christ. Statistics tell us that by the age of 45, 43% of all women in the U.S. will have had at least one abortion. The Christian can see a whole mission field for the Gospel in the pain and despair abortion has brought upon women. LFL has a national hotline—Word of Hope—for women and men dealing with a past abortion—888-21-8679. You may want to order the free brochure on this hotline and have them available. Use the same number as above to order. Other resources are in the LFL catalog.]

A fellow member of your congregation remarks that he cannot see anything wrong with using stem cells from human embryos. After all, they have the potential to cure so many diseases. What does the Christian see?

[The Christian sees an opportunity to teach the Scriptural truth that life is a gift from God that begins at conception. From the moment of conception there is someone there who was created by God and for whom Jesus died. That is the fundamental fact that must inform our discussion on this issue. It does not matter how this life was conceived, whether in a fallopian tube or in a petri dish. It does not matter where this life is, whether growing in a womb or suspended in a frozen state. Life is God’s gift, and we are compelled to defend that gift under all conditions and in all stages of development. Call LFL for their statement on embryonic stem cell research.]

A friend asks for your advice. Her mother is in a nursing home. She is responsive some of the time but most of the time is in a coma-like state. The doctors have suggested removing her feeding tube and allowing her to die. What does the Christian see?

[Questions like this often lead people to ask more “what if” type questions trying to get more details about the situation. There is enough detail here, however, to deal with a very fundamental point. The Christian sees someone of value and an opportunity to make the important distinction between allowing someone to die and causing someone to die. Regardless of what you might say about this woman’s so called “quality” of life, she is not dying. Removing her feeding tube would not “allow her to die.” It would directly and intentionally cause her death by starvation and dehydration.

This does not mean that a Christian must accept or continue all and every form of treatment available. There are times when a respirator, for example, is no longer sustaining life but rather prolonging death. Removing the respirator in this situation is truly allowing someone to die. There are even times when feeding tubes may be removed. When death is near, bodily organs begin to shut down and can no longer process food and fluids. At such a stage, food and fluids may actually be causing the person discomfort and distress. The question the Christian must ask when faced with these difficult situations is whether or not the treatment is excessively burdensome to the person. Unfortunately, the question many are asking today is whether or not the person is burdensome. The Christian must always see someone created by God and redeemed by Christ whose life has purpose until God decides that life should end. Resources on this and other end-of-life issues can be found in the LFL catalog.]

[Closing Prayer: Thank You, Heavenly Father, for giving us eyes of faith to see things differently as people who live under the cross. May our different view of life enable us to live life differently. Help us to be “joyful in hope,” “patient in affliction,” and “faithful in prayer.” Use us, who by Your grace see things differently, to make a difference in this world. Help us proclaim in love the truth that all human life is a precious gift from You. Help us to act in love as we reach out and seek to carry one another’s burdens. Restore to Your people and to our nation respect for the dignity and value of life. We who live under the cross, pray in the name of the One who was crucified upon it and who rose again, Jesus Christ. Amen.]

This Bible study is available in reproducible form as part of Life Studies – Volume One. Click here to go to the on-line Life Resource Catalog.