The Lowly Are Raised

“Jesus endured the cross, disregarding the shame for the joy set before him.” (Hebrews 12:2)

But what joy is there is taking up a cross, being mocked and beaten, and then suffocating to death? What joy is there in being rejected by one’s rulers and condemned to die by a Roman governor? What joy can there be in suffering, in being executed as an innocent? The good part of the cross is not what Jesus had to endure, but the great parts that come later.
Jesus said, “Whoever lowers himself will be raised.” (Luke 14:11). This was true of Jesus, who lowered himself to a death on a cross, and then gained resurrection and so much more. It is also true of us! If we lower ourselves to the faithfulness that Jesus himself displayed, then we receive the same benefits that Jesus himself received. “The promise by the faith of Jesus Christ will be given to those who are faithful.” (Galatians 3:22)

But what promise, what benefits? What are the wages the worker of the cross receives? There are seven major benefits:

1. Being accepted by God
The people of God are in exile. They are thrown out of God’s kingdom because of their rebellion against Him. While this was not true of Jesus—Jesus was always accepted by God and he had no sins to be forgiven—yet he still had to prove his obedience. Because of his obedience under trial, he was able to demonstrate his faithfulness to God, thus allowing him to be welcome in God’s court in heaven. (Hebrews 5:8-9). Even so, if we display the faithfulness that Jesus showed, then we too are able to be forgiven of our rebellion, enter God’s court, make requests of him and to listen to Him (Acts 26:18; John 15:7).

2. Overcoming powers
When Jesus accepted the way of the cross, he was dead to himself and his own desires—his desires no longer had control over him (Mark 14:36, 38). After he died at the hand of the rulers of God’s people, neither they, nor the Romans had control over him. Because one who had died can no longer be controlled by anyone (Romans 7:1-2). Even so, if we accept the cross, our desires no longer have control over us (I Peter 4:1-2). If we die in Jesus, all the powers of heaven and earth that try to control us no longer have control, because we are under Jesus’ authority alone. No other authority determines our destiny—even if they punish us, we are under Jesus and gain Jesus’ reward (Romans 8:35-39).

3. Resurrection
On the third day after Jesus was executed, he was raised from the dead by the power of God (Luke 24:6-7). Jesus knew that this would happen, for it was promised that the one who lowered himself for God’s purposes would be raised (I Samuel 2:7-8). And if this promise is true for Jesus, it is true for everyone who has faith like Jesus (Romans 8:17). Anyone who is in Jesus will be raised from the dead (I Thessalonians 4:16-17).

4. Political Rule
Jesus not only was risen from the dead for his faithfulness, but he also was lifted up to heaven, above every power in heaven and earth, to sit beside the Father and to act as the greatest power over heaven under the Father (Acts 5:31;Hebrews 1:1-3). Even so, everyone who endures hardship and suffering for God will gain some measure of political power in God’s kingdom (Psalm 37:11; Matthew 5:5,9; 16:24-28). And those who lower themselves the most will gain the greatest amount of authority in the kingdom (Mark 10:43-44).

5. Release of the Spirit
Once Jesus was resurrected, he was able to display his power as the Authority of God by releasing the Spirit of God to all who displayed the faith of Jesus (Ephesians 4:8; Acts 2:33). The Spirit is the power of God to do God’s word and to accomplish the promises of God on earth—even healings and resurrections (John 14:26; Mark 16:17-18). The one who has lived in the faith of cross also has the power of the Spirit in their lives (Acts 2:38).

6. Acceptance for others
Because Jesus died on the cross, he was able to create the kingdom of God and he provided a place for those who have his faith (Romans 5:6-11). He died not only for himself, but for the benefit of others (Mark 10:45). Even so, our faith of the cross is not only for ourselves, but also provides a way for others to live in Christ. Through what we endure in faithfulness, we provide opportunities for others to enter into the kingdom of God (Colossians 1:24; II Corinthians 5:18-21).

7. The Peace of God
God has promised his people a land to live where there is justice with no war; satisfaction with no theft; contentment with no greed; relationship with God with no sin (Ezekiel 36:24-38). But these promises are only for those who live the faith of Jesus—only those who have taken up the cross in their own lives will gain God’s promises (Matthew 5:3-12).


Life in God is ours—but only if we take up the cross!