Take It Up
34 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. 35 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. 36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? (Mark 8:34-37)
As Jesus and his disciples were traveling together, Jesus asked them what people were saying about him. Then Jesus asked them, more pointedly, how the disciples themselves proclaimed Jesus. Peter spoke boldly, saying that Jesus was the Messiah, and Jesus insisted that they keep that to themselves. Jesus then explained the rejection, suffering, and death that he would endure, concluding with his resurrection. Then speaking to the disciples as well as the crowd that had gathered - undoubtedly to see the next miracle - Jesus told them all what it would take to truly follow him: each must take up their own cross.
Taking up our cross, dying to self, may not be as challenging in American culture as it is in cultures where those who claim Christ are literally putting their lives on the line, but it is still counter cultural. In our me-first society we are called to be humble rather than boastful, to fight for and serve others rather than ourselves. We will fail. The first disciples failed. When faced with the reality of the crucifixion they hid, they denied. They would not claim Jesus as the Messiah when the cost became clear. But Jesus died for them, and us, anyway. So, in gratitude for what we could not do, and in the humility that accepts what we would not do, we open our hands and release those things that have taken the place of the cross. Day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute we take it up again.
We take it up.
7 The Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; 8 he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. 9a It is the Lord GOD who helps me; who will declare me guilty? (Isaiah 50:7-9a)
