Lesson 183: The Cause for Christ

Kentucky Chaplain David Chaltas

THE CAUSE OF CHRIST

I was returning from a very successful reenactment, which was held in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. I was feeling exhausted but delighted in our accomplishments in perpetuating the good name of our ancestors and having so many people see history come alive. I was thinking of the grand opportunity that had been afforded us and was quite content in the knowledge of a job well done. As per the ministry on Sunday, well I had made my excuses due to feeling poorly, and in a lukewarm thought process knew that my brothers and sisters would carry on with the message. *Revelation 3:16 says, “So then because thou are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” After all, were there not several others who could carry the cross at the service? Surely my presence would not be missed, I reasoned.

It was then that I noticed him. I first saw the man in the distance on the right side of the curb. At first he looked burdened, so out of place and laboring under a heavy load. I could not make the object out but knew it was quite large. Whatever he was carrying caught my eye and all the tourists going from Gatlinburg to Pigeon Forge and Sevierville towards Interstate 40. As I drew closer, I began hearing a couple honks from cars and saw the people in the vehicles in front of me pointing. I decided to get into the outside lane to see what was going on and what was the man carrying. When I was about three car lengths from him, the image immediately became blistered into my brain. The man was carrying an eight foot cross on his shoulder that was made of two by fours. He had placed wheels at the bottom to make his burden easier to carry but never the less, I noted him struggling. I did not know how long he had carried it nor how far he was going but it brought a sense of realization as I passed him.

For a moment I was taken back to another time when a different man walked the gauntlet with His burden squarely upon His shoulders. This burden was not only a cross but the sins of mankind as well. Our Divine Deliverer had been scourged for our iniquities, bruised for our transgressions, and died so we could live forever. He carried not His burden but mine. He died for me and all He asks of me is to believe in Him, pick up my cross and to follow Him. In Matthew 10:38, the Bible teaches me this: “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” The man reminded me of my responsibilities of carrying my cross while serving our King of Kings. The man had upon his shoulder an outward sign of an inward change. He literally was carrying the cause of Christ for all to reflect upon their personal cross as they traveled. The brief images humbled me and made me realize that I should count it worthy to suffer for the cause of Christ. I went home wondering how many others was touched by the scene. Did God move in mysterious ways amongst the people, as an unknown man made a statement of faith that helped fortify mine? The few seconds offered such a powerful statement and made me reflect upon my unworthiness to serve; yet He beckons me to follow.

I know I shall never be worthy of the love of God. I know no matter my good works, only the blood of Christ can wash away my sins. I realize that it is not that we suffer but how we suffer which truly changes us. Rejoice in your burden. Count it a blessing to suffer for the cause of Christ and recognize that this thin vale will soon be lifted and the glory of heaven will be opened. Our God is a gracious loving God who gave His only SON so we could live. I am so thankful that He is in the forgiveness business instead of the justice business! Refreshened for the cause of Christ, I remain humbled by His love, the Old General