Benjamin’s Cross
Gen 44:2 And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack’s mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.
Benjamin is chosen as a favorite of Joseph. Suddenly that choice which led to extra supplies, five times more than the other brothers is becoming what looks like a nightmare. Have you ever faced a situation of accusation in which you must simply be speechless and expect a punishment you do not understand. Christ asked us to take up our cross and follow Him. This is not an option, but a command.
Salvation is free …but what is the cross? Indeed, there are basic truths of free salvation …but also higher truths of testing and burdens that we must bear. One of these burdens is that of restitution to prove repentance and appease what would have been the harvest of wrong past actions. Christ bore His cross of cruel accusation and indictment without a whimper but He saw a glory ahead. Benjamin and the other brothers did not see the glory ahead, and must have been afraid at this sudden turn of ill-luck.
The choice of Benjamin is not accidental. The choice of the cross is equally deliberate. But even in all the cross you carry, there is the master architect – God still in charge, and who loves us dearly giving us a grace that will be more than sufficient. “Take up your cross and follow Me” means being willing to die in order to follow Jesus. This is called “dying to self.” It’s a call to absolute surrender. Although the call is tough, the reward is matchless.
Wherever Jesus went, He drew crowds. Although these multitudes often followed Him as Messiah, their view of who the Messiah really was—and what He would do—was distorted. They thought the Christ would usher in the restored kingdom. They believed He would free them from the oppressive rule of their Roman occupiers. Even Christ’s own inner circle of disciples thought the kingdom was coming soon (Luke 19:11). When Jesus began teaching that He was going to die at the hands of the Jewish leaders and their Gentile overlords (Luke 9:22), His popularity sank. Many of the shocked followers rejected Him. Truly, they were not able to put to death their own ideas, plans, and desires, and exchange them for His.
Following Jesus is easy when life runs smoothly; our true commitment to Him is revealed during trials. Jesus assured us that trials will come to His followers. Discipleship demands sacrifice, and Jesus never hid that cost. In Luke 9:57-62, three people seemed willing to follow Jesus. When Jesus questioned them further, their commitment was half-hearted at best. They failed to count the cost of following Him. None was willing to take up his cross and crucify upon it his own interests.
If you wonder if you are ready to take up your cross, consider these questions: Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing some of your closest friends? Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means alienation from your family? Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means the loss of your reputation? Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your job? Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your life?
Song.
Fear not when shadows on your pathway fall, look to the lamb of God
In joy or sorrow Christ is all in all, look to the Lamb of God
Prayer: Lord, Help me to be courageous and to look to the Lamb of God always. Amen.
The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa
