The Prism of the Cross

Just as a prism takes pure light and, through refraction, reveals the hidden spectrum of colors, so too does the experience of Jesus’ suffering at Calvary transform and inspire the many facets of ministry. At the heart of every genuine, effective pursuit of the call to serve lies a foundation firmly rooted in the love of Christ.

The Call to Ministry

 I believe that the call to ministry as a Christian is both initiated by the Holy Spirit and deeply connected to Calvary. For a believer committed to the path of discipleship, the experience of Jesus at Calvary stands as a symbol of purpose and meaning, while one’s understanding of it deepens along the journey of faith. That experience shapes how one pursues ministry, with the light of the cross reflected in a diverse spectrum of callings. Central to every vocation in Christian ministry is a love for Jesus and a desire to share His love with others.

Ministry encompasses many forms, and the calling will look different for each person. Scripture identifies five distinct roles: evangelist, pastor, prophet, apostle, and teacher (Eph. 4:11). Additionally, other gifts are evident within the church, such as worship and prayer leaders, those called to exhortation, as well as those engaged in health ministry. Together this outpouring and use of talents contribute to the edification of the saints, affirming that all who serve are valued and have a purpose in Christ’s kingdom.

 As Paul wrote: “God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal. 6:14). That call to service is not uniform, as every person’s encounter with grace and sacrifice is unique. At the heart of it all is the constant of love.

When I first grasped the meaning of the song “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” I felt the sublime shift in my understanding of worship and service. It revealed sacrifice, surrender, hope, and mercy. For others, the cross represents healing, salvation, and forgiveness. It is multidimensional, inviting everyone into ministry through the lens of personal experience.

Lives Shaped by the Cross

History has documented the lives of many people who have felt compelled into service by reflecting on the life and ministry of Jesus. They were moved to answer the call of the cross in numerous ways.

When Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950, she was inspired by Jesus’ cry on the cross, “I thirst.” She is not alone in being moved to service by focusing on the Redeemer, as many before her, and many after her, willingly surrendered their lives in the service of others.

John Newton, who penned the hymn “Amazing Grace,” is another to note. Although his conversion was because of a tragedy at sea, his faith was emboldened through meditation on the mercy and redemption of the cross.

More recently we can consider the impact of the cross on the life of Chuck Colson, the presidential aide to President Nixon, who served time in prison for his role in the Watergate scandal, and found grace and acceptance in Jesus. Chuck gave up his career and went on to establish the Prison Fellowship Ministries, through which he delivered the gospel to incarcerated men and women.

I could speak of Nien Cheng, the author of Life and Death in Shanghai, who found great comfort while enduring her time in a Communist prison by focusing on the closing scenes of Christ’s ministry. Her story is a powerful testimony of faith and commitment to the cause of Jesus.

Paul, too, as the focus of this reflection, found much in his conversations and meditations with the resurrected Savior to significantly alter his path and commit wholeheartedly to sharing the gospel. He was convinced that nothing could separate him or us from the love of God, which is found in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:38).

The message of the cross remains a powerful motivator for faith in action. The call of Jesus on Calvary has resonated through history and continues to inspire people to respond with love, sacrifice, and unflinching service.

Surrender of Personal Ambition

In his book The Crucifixion of Ministry Andrew Purves observed that ministers can become barriers to effective ministry, especially when self-interest or the need for approval overshadows Christ-centered service. He wrote, “Certainly the preacher can get in the way of proclamation through not bearing faithful witness to what Jesus is saying to the people, through getting too much into the center of things or through muddled thinking and poor expression.”[1]

True ministry flows from a place of humility and love, not from self-importance or performing for an audience. When Christ is the motivation behind every act of service, ministers are inspired to seek genuine transformation rather than personal recognition. Through the lens of the cross, ideas of success and service are redefined. Paul taught that God’s power is perfected in our weakness (2 Cor. 12:9), suggesting that vulnerability and love are far more impactful than charisma and popularity.

Many may appear religious, but true discipleship requires prioritizing truth and compassion over the favor and applause of men.

While an engaging speaker may captivate an audience, the true influence of ministry lies in reflecting Jesus’ sacrificial love. It has been noted by Ellen White that Paul “emptied his soul of the prejudices and traditions that had hitherto shaped his life.”[2]

Before his conversion he was the face of popular opinion; he was the voice that swayed the masses in opposition to the work of the disciples; and prior to his conversion the authorities had effectively given him the keys to the kingdom. Saul was popular; Saul was trending. And then he met Jesus.

Jesus emphatically stated that the greatest commandment is to love God and our neighbors (Matt. 22:37-40). A love for humanity drove His life and ministry, from birth to resurrection. Love stands as the firm foundation, method, and goal of authentic ministry. This compassion for every soul motivates all aspects of Christian service. Paul stressed that without love, even the most impressive religious acts are spiritually empty (1 Cor. 13:1). The love of Jesus compels disciples to act with meekness and compassion, allowing God’s love to transform others. Patience, kindness, and empathy have always been key attributes of those who have responded to the call to serve.

As Ellen White wrote: “God’s workers, in whatever line of service they are engaged, are to bring into their efforts the goodness and benevolence and love of Christ.”[3]

Discipleship Modeled in Love

Jesus taught that love for one another is the distinguishing mark of His disciples. External achievements, prominent members of society filling the pews, entertaining services that dominate the media landscape, the megachurch, and a social media presence to rival that of sporting celebrities are meaningless if the love of Christ is not evident.

Many may appear religious, but true discipleship requires prioritizing truth and compassion over the favor and applause of people. The message of Calvary has always been in opposition to what is trending socially, and following Jesus comes with the guarantee that, as the Savior was rejected by people, so His followers would face rejection, opposition, and persecution (John 15:20).

Despite this, Jesus’ love inspires. It encourages us to serve and to share hope in our daily lives.

Paul’s example provides a practical model for living out this love-driven ministry. His work was marked by simplicity, sincerity, and integrity. He demonstrated that love is central to genuine outreach. His ministry was rooted in grace and love, reflecting the character and teachings of Jesus. His dedication to the early church was unwavering, and his approach, though sometimes controversial, effectively communicated the message of redemption to the souls who needed it most. Just as his personal journey revealed the transformative power of all-consuming grace, he delved into ministry with this same energy. Paul’s model for ministry is widely regarded as a reflection of Christlike values, and a careful study of his writing would inspire us to emulate his example in our own ministries.

Conclusion

“For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears . . . that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you” (2 Cor. 2:4).

This passage poignantly summarizes effective, Christ-centered ministry. The service of Jesus must be motivated by love. It must be consistent, selfless, and willing to embrace inconvenience. Paul’s ministry reflected the life of Christ. It was not polished, headline-grabbing, or trending on social media. It was marked by tears, imprisonment, shipwreck, hunger, false accusations, and well-documented floggings, yet he kept loving the church anyway. He was able to comfort others because he himself had been comforted through many afflictions. He persevered because Christ’s love compelled him.

Ministry chooses the path of love when viewed through the prism of the cross—not the easy path, but the path of Christ. Genuine service is performed out of sincerity and not self-interest. As we reflect, may we ask ourselves how we, too, can embody this love in our own calling.

[1] Andrew Purves, The Crucifixion of Ministry (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2007), Kindle edition, p. 92.

[2] Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1911), pp. 125, 126.

[3] Ellen G. White, Evangelism (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1946), p. 629.