Cross Bearing

The Gospel for Sunday included Jesus’ statement, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” What does it mean to “take up the cross?”  Maybe not what you think. Here are some thoughts I shared about this in a recent sermon.

Many have equated cross bearing with enduring life’s tragedies. Perhaps some terrible event has been visited on us and we talk about bearing it as a cross. For some, personal tragedy such as, a wayward child or a chronic painful condition or the death of a spouse is considered their cross. In this vein, Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” might be viewed as a cross to bear. I get it.  I confess to sometimes thinking that way myself.  But is that what Jesus is talking about?  I don’t think so.

The obvious model of taking up the cross is being willing to die for the faith. After all, Jesus died on a cross, so perhaps we are called on to make that same sacrifice. Maybe that’s what he means. When he goes on to talk about losing our lives for his sake and the sake of the Gospel, that surely adds credence to this way of understanding him. Christian history if filled with stories of men and women who have literally died, some even on a cross, as a witness for the faith. Yet, I’m not sure this is what Jesus means, or perhaps more precisely, I’m not sure this is all Jesus means.  Let me explain why.

Let’s start with the concept of “losing life.” He clearly includes laying down our physical lives once and for all. But, our one time sacrifice can’t have the same impact that his one time sacrifice does. On the other hand, we can lose our lives in a figurative sense repeatedly. If we think Jesus is talking about loving others in our cross bearing, then being a servant to those in need over and over is an example of that kind of love. We follow the first part of his statement about denying ourselves when we put our lives on hold in some way to give that time and energy to others. Serving in a soup kitchen is a simple illustration of this. Listening to a friend going through a rough time is another.

I also put going to worship in this category. In our busy world, how easy it is to sleep in on Sunday, to convince ourselves we deserve the rest. Yet, our faithful attendance to worship not only empowers us, it is a witness to those who see us go--the neighbor who is mowing his yard as we pull out of our driveway in our Sunday best, for example. Too, I happen to think as we learn more about our faith in Christian formation and experience the grace of God in our worship, we are strengthened to live more Christ-like lives the rest of the week. If we do so, we will be noticed--our very example of kind, generous, tolerant, graciousness will stand out because those qualities are scarce in the world.

I don’t presume to suggest I know what your cross should be. And it does have to be yours.  Jesus does say, “Let them deny themselves and take up their cross...” Lent is a good time to wonder about what denial is being asked of you and what cross waits. I’m pretty sure the denial of desserts or booze isn’t what Jesus is suggesting, but if denying yourself those things helps you figure out what is actually standing in the way of your following Jesus faithfully, I support you in that. Whatever it is, Jesus, no doubt, is waiting for you to discover it or to devote yourself anew to it.

Peace

Jerry