Thoughts for the Day

Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’ And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Yesterday was Holy Cross Day and today we are still thinking about the cross. On one level we all understand what 'taking up one's cross' means. We all know the story of how the beaten Jesus had to carry his cross to Gethsemane where he was to be crucified, and the way the Romans guards commandeered Simon of Cyrene to carry it for him when his strength failed. But what does it actually mean when Jesus says ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.' Well he doesn't mean us to carry a wooden cross around every day!

The Victorians, it seems to me, thought this meant, put up with what life sends you, in other words "make drudgery divine" as Herbert's hymn that we looked at recently seemed to think. A servant might make drudgery divine. But I am not sure God just expects us to put up with things the way they are - with resigned expression and manner. Instead it's a call to put our self on one side and surrender all that we are to God. Peter certainly is not prepared for a suffering Messiah, he wants a King who will fight for His people, however, he is to prove true to Jesus in the end.

Take up our cross and following Jesus can mean we may find ourselves losing friends or family, having to change a job, and yes it could mean losing one's life. Even though much of this may not happen it could do so in many parts of our world. The question is are we willing that this may happen if we commit ourselves steadfastly to Jesus?

Lord Jesus Christ,
help us to truly consider what it means
to take up our cross and follow You,
not paying lip service but real service,
even if this should mean friends ostracize us,
and family don't understand us.
May we seek to put all the gifts You give us
at Your disposal,
and find unique ways of forwarding Your kingdom.
Amen.