Satan will put roadblocks in our way and try to trip us up. He will do just about anything to keep us from God. Don’t be upset, but, God even allows it.
God allows our suffering and struggles? Allows Satan to attack us?
Yes. Because, God has faith in us. He knows what we can handle and what we need to handle in order to grow in our faith, strength and trust in Him. He also maintains total control of Satan’s reins.
We must fight. We must join the battle and press forward up Calvary’s hill.
God is asking, “will you fight for Me?”
Close your eyes – figuratively, I know you can’t close them and read. Do this exercise often.
Imagine yourself at the foot of Calvary. You see the crosses at the top of the hill. And, upon one cross hangs Jesus Christ. Do you want to be closer to the Lord? Yes, of course. Begin climbing the hill. The hill is the world. From every side it attacks you. Sins of the flesh, pornography and temptations swat at your spirit. Another step, the demon of greed hits you. Next step brings the demon of fear. “How can I possibly take another step? the climb is too difficult. I am not worthy to draw closer.” Sin knocks you down. You fall time and again under the temptations and power of your own personal sins. Get up! Step forward!
Satan and his dominion (the world) will attack you at every step. He doesn’t want you to continue to climb. “Go back!” He screams. “You suck! SINNER!”
Continue to fight forward, no matter what the world throws at you. Even if the world itself attacks you. As you come half way up the hillside, you notice very few people around you. But, as you continue moving forward, each of these worldly people attack you. They hate that you believe the sign on the cross – “The King of the Jews.” The politicians, news, teachers, companies and coworkers, even Catholics in the pew next to you, attack you. They spew their venom at your conservative, pro-life Catholic beliefs.
As you reach the crest, you see Mary, John and the Blessed Mother tearfully looking at the cross. Another step, a rock crunches under foot. The Blessed Mother turns her tear-filled eyes your way. She nods in recognition and looks back to her Son, hanging upon the cross. You follow her gaze and see upon the cross…that man barely looks like a man any longer. His Divine Body is so bloody and scarred from the lash.
Take another step forward as the centurion pierces the side of the Lord with his lance. The blood and water from the Sacred, Merciful Heart of Jesus gushes out and sprays upon you. You are covered in His Blood.
Will you fight through the crowd and the world to reach Jesus? Will you stand strong when temptation and sin rain a flurry of blows against your soul? Will you continue to focus on Jesus’ cross and climb onward when Satan himself stands before you and taunts you?
Through all this, the Lord hanging on the cross above and before you, is watching you. With pleading eyes, He draws you forward. He knows you have the strength to continue to fight forward, the only question is, “will you fight for Me?”
What is your answer? Don’t put it off, the answer is due today…now.
“O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You!” Divine Mercy in my soul # 84
I love this…..I have really been at the foot of the cross many times with Jesus ever since Pentecost last year at the mansion. It was there that I rested in the Spirit and began my journey at the foot of the cross gazing upwards at Jesus. But, He told me not to focus on anything but joy!
Thanks Ed!
Through the cross is the Son-rise
This was a very powerful commentary and the timing of this message was incredibly appropriate. I really appreciated the reminder to take my eyes off of all the worldly distractions and just focus on the journey up that hill. Thanks, brother.