34 Then he (Jesus) called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.
- Mark 8.34-35
It was a little after midnight or so this morning and I was thinking about how scripture repeatedly informs us that Jesus says in order to be one of His followers we must take up our crosses and follow Him or follow in His steps. I have heard other preachers including myself say "at least all we have to do is carry or crosses, He didn't say we had to be nailed to them." Now even though this statement is true I believe it has led us to believe in a fairytale of sorts. Because it implies that we will not suffer. Which is true to the degree that we won't have to suffer the punishment of being nailed to the cross because Christ has already died in our place. But the fallacy of this statement is that it may lead some to believe that if we follow Jesus we won't suffer at all. And this is not true.
Part of the shame, disgrace and pain of crucifixion was having to carry the instrument of your demise. It was a heavy, rough cut splintered object to carry. In other words it was a physical, mental and spiritual burden on your back knowing that what you are "taking up" now will soon be your end.
So if we are to be pain, trouble, and care-free as followers of Christ then why would Jesus tell us to "take up OUR CROSSES" and follow Him? Because He knows we live in a fallen world where we will experience heartache, loss, pain and sorrow. Now this is not God's fault, even though sometimes we have a tendency to want to blame Him it's not His fault at all.
Jesus knew we would have troubles and tribulations in this life and these are OUR CROSSES to bear. It may not be because we have sin in our lives as some would preach or teach but because sin in general distorted and ruined what was once a perfect world. But to take up our cross and follow Jesus means to bear what we must bear in this life knowing that after this body has failed us God never will.
Hebrews 12.2-3 tells us that if we 2 fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
To follow Jesus is to enjoy this life, endure it hardships knowing someday we will spend eternity with Him in Heaven. So when we reflect back on 2010 I'm not going to suggest we forget the bad times or the good because both make us stronger and wiser for what lies ahead. And what lies ahead is if we continue to follow Jesus we will gain a more intimate and personal relationship with the one who was nailed to His cross so we won't have to bear the punishment of our sins after this life is over.
Yes in this new year there will be a new cross but we must remember that if we follow Jesus He will never leave us, nor forsake us and His presence and leadership will give us a peace in knowing His great love is constant and consuming. And someday we will see Him face to face because we will have followed Him right into His Kingdom.
Just some early morning thoughts on the cross and the new year.
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