Life-Giving Cross
Scripture: Mark 8:31-38
Focus Verse: [Jesus] 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…” (Mark 8:34)
Perhaps
you know her. Each Sunday morning she sits in the back row, left-hand
side of the sanctuary with three children in tow. The kids never utter a
word during the service as crayons and puzzle books keep them busy. Mom
smiles and nods politely as you greet her but never utters more than a
“How do you do?” Dad doesn’t sit with them. In fact, you aren’t sure the
last time you saw him. Maybe at the children’s baptism?
Leaving
church today, she’ll take the kids to grandma’s house. She braces
herself for what is to come. She knows he’ll be drinking. What she
doesn’t know is if the day will result in fresh bruises and a phone call
to grandma. “Can the kids stay with you tonight?”
Reaching
out for refuge, she met with her pastor years ago. The pastor's words, “This is your cross
to bear,” rang out. These are now words she carries with her.
Is THIS her cross to bear?
I’ve
been thinking a lot about cross-bearing. What it is. What it is not.
Does it come from following Jesus, from turning away from the idols of
the world? Or does it come from others mistreatment or manipulation of
you?
What crosses do you bear?
Jesus
does call us to deny ourselves and take up our cross, but at the same
time Jesus grants new life. The tension between new life and crosses
are messy and might unsettle us. How do we proclaim new life in the midst of worldly
pain?
It seems to me that ALL of our pains, burdens, and sorrows (as well as our joys) lead to the Resurrected Savior.
Following
Jesus is never easy. But it is always life-giving. Embrace the
life-giving cross which comes from loving as God loves. Dare to live
into the promise of the resurrection.
Jennifer M. Manis
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