Where Is Your Cross?
Good Morning Friends,
We have a truly beautiful Sanctuary where I worship on Sunday mornings. Vivid colors burst through the windows as the sun shines through them revealing glorious stories of Jesus. By far the most dramatic of them are the ones of Jesus on the Cross. Meditating on them I began to wonder how I would describe my own cross and the times I have picked it up and the times I have put it down. Where Is Your Cross?
Scripture: Paul wrote, “It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. This life that I live now, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me.”
Galatians 2:20 (TEV)
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?
Mark 8:34-37 (NRSV)
Message: We have all seen before and after pictures used in advertising. Most of them relate to weigh loss, hair loss and skin care. Most seem fake or false. But some of the products actually work, though results vary because the person using the product or program doesn’t always follow through with it. The same is true for the Christian life and the effect of God’s power and work in our lives. Indeed the ordinary can become extraordinary. Everyday people who find love and grace through a relationship with Christ demonstrate this time and time again. When Christ’s light shines through us an amazing transformation happens. When God’s light shines through us we come alive in a new way. Until then we are as dark and lifeless figures in a stain glass window waiting to find our purpose. Ironically one of the things that becomes illuminated is our own cross and whether or not we are picking it up each day. And it is here we discover that the decision to follow Jesus is not about modifying our behavior to make us a better version of ourselves but to substitute a new life altogether. Here we find the startling honesty and patience of Jesus. Jesus never tries to bribe us by the offer of an easy life. For there is a cross we are to bear if we are to follow Jesus. And it means taking the love of God to places we might not expect. And it means we are to touch the lives of people who are unlovable. It means denying and sacrificing because we want to not because it is demanded of us. It means paying the price regardless of the financial and personal implications because we love. Friends, God offers each of us a cross. It is not a life of ease, or an offer to be part of a church that is perfect with all the solutions to our problems. Becoming a Christian does not guarantee you success on our jobs or in our relationships. It does not promise that we will stop having problems. All that is really being offered is Jesus Christ and his cross. And if we are willing to pick it up some will consider it fanatic because their love has not taken them to the place your love. Friends, this is about how deep our love will go.
Pray we make an assessment of our spiritual growth and pray for illumination from the Holy Spirit. Pray we give attention to activities that will lead to transformation. Pray we let God’s light shine through us. Pray we become all that God wants us to be. Pray the light of truth and love shine in and through us to the glory of God for His purpose in us. Pray we realize that cross bearing is voluntary. Pray we realize that cross bearing is an act of love. Pray we realize that cross bearing is hard work. Pray that regardless of all this we pick up our cross daily anyway so that we become more like Jesus each day and live in love.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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