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10/3/1939 Edgar Cayce Bible Minutes
paralleling ASFG 1 lesson on “THE CROSS AND THE CROWN”
BIBLE READING: John: 16:12-15, 17:1-5, 18:1, 19:17-18
ASFG Lesson 10: The Cross and the Crown
(pages 77 and 78)
We often think of the Cross only as something that belonged to Jesus, rather than as a reality within our own lives. It’s true that we all have “crosses” to bear — struggles, responsibilities, or hardships — but if we carried them in the same spirit that Jesus bore His Cross, we would discover that each cross hides within it a crown of glory.
When we complain or resist our difficulties, we miss the spiritual purpose behind them. But if, like Jesus, we face our crosses with love, humility, and obedience to God, then each challenge becomes part of our journey back to the Father. The “cross” is not just suffering — it is transformation, the meeting point where the human self is refined into the divine likeness.
Jesus prayed, “Father, glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee” (John 17:1). His goal was not personal exaltation, but that God’s glory might shine through Him. Likewise, our prayers should always be rooted in that same motive — not for personal gain, but for the ability to serve better and to glorify our Creator. Through that surrender, we too share in His glory.
Jesus’ willingness to bear the Cross made it possible for His Spirit to be poured out upon the world as the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13). If He had refused the Cross, neither He nor we would have received that victory or the indwelling guidance of the Spirit. The Cross, therefore, is the bridge between self and Spirit — between man and God.
1. The Spirit of Truth “speaking not of Himself” (John 16:13)
The Spirit of Truth is the very Spirit of the Son, who gave Himself to free us from selfishness and sin. Because it is free of ego, it does not speak “of itself.” The Spirit doesn’t promote self-importance or personality; instead, it speaks what it hears from God — guiding us toward the glorification of the Father, not ourselves.
If we seek truth with a self-centered motive, we align with forces that magnify the ego; but if we seek selflessly, we align with divine forces that work through us to reveal God’s love and truth.
2. The Crucifixion of Three (John 19:17-18)
Jesus was crucified between two others — a powerful symbol.
Jesus represents the Spirit — divine consciousness and truth.
The penitent thief who asked to be remembered represents the Mind — that part of us that seeks redemption and understanding.
The unrepentant thief represents the World — indifferent, resisting spiritual light.
All three symbolize conditions within ourselves. At different times we may be like the seeking mind that turns toward Christ, or like the indifferent worldly self that resists truth. When we remain in the seeking attitude — accepting our crosses joyfully and recognizing them as opportunities for correction and understanding — we align with the Spirit and are made free by truth (John 8:32).
3. Our Own Crosses
Every “cross” we bear is a result of some imbalance or law we’ve violated — whether through selfishness, pride, or ignorance. Yet these crosses are also our way of escape, a means for correction and spiritual growth.
When we accept them with gratitude and joy, we transform suffering into learning, and burden into blessing. Each cross then becomes the “crown” of victory, as we come to understand truth more deeply.
4. Helping Others After Overcoming
In His final prayer (John 17:4-5), Jesus, though He had completed His mission, still prayed for others — that they too might be sanctified and united with the Father. We often forget to do this. After overcoming a challenge, we tend to move on rather than helping others find their way. The Christ pattern teaches us to lift others by example, not by boasting, but by showing how we overcame, so they may also grow.
5. The Greatest Thrill
Many seek excitement in material experiences. But the greatest joy — the “crown” after the “cross” — is realizing that God can work through us to bless others. There is no thrill like becoming a channel of hope and healing, where doubt and fear are replaced with faith and light in someone’s life.
That is the glory Jesus spoke of when He said, “I have glorified Thee on the earth; I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do” (John 17:4).
Supporting Scriptures
John 16:12-15 – The Spirit of Truth will guide us into all truth, not speaking of Himself but revealing what is of the Father and the Son.
John 17:1-5 – Jesus prays for the Father’s glory, showing that glorification comes through obedience and sacrifice.
John 18:1 – Jesus goes forth willingly into the garden, symbolizing His conscious acceptance of the Cross.
John 19:17-18 – Jesus carries His Cross to Golgotha, where He is crucified between two others — a symbol of Spirit between Mind and Matter.
Conclusion
The Cross represents not merely suffering but transformation through divine love. The Crown represents the glory that follows when self is overcome and Spirit reigns.
When we bear our crosses in the same spirit as Christ — with humility, love, and a desire to glorify God — we discover that our burdens become blessings and our trials become triumphs.
As Jesus said, “The truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
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