Plow
Creek Mennonite Church
Sunday
Meditations
Take Up Your Cross
Jim Foxvog
September 14, 2003
Mark 8. 27-38
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?
How different from the easy, present-day interpretation of a lasting sickness or a lingering unpleasant and painful circumstance! NO! This has nothing to do with our "cross"!
Taking up the cross means facing persecution and death for Jesus' sake. Think about yourself. Are you living with a martyr's attitude, that is, willing to suffer or die for the cause of Christ? Be put to shame publicly, hung naked and dying in presence of jeering enemies. Experiencing mockery and rejection.
Jews applied to crucified criminals the terrifying statement of the law that ‘anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse.’ (Deuteronmy 21:23) Religious world will treat those taking up the cross as cursed, heretics and blasphemers.
Following Jesus, worshiping Jesus, was an act of blasphemy to the Jews and an act of treason to the Romans. We cannot have two masters. We can not serve God and Country. To follow Jesus is a dangerous political act. Obeying our Lord and King is an act of treason to the principalities and powers.
Deny yourself. Not "self-actualization," making the most of oneself, seeking one's own greatest influence and power and welfare. Abandonment of one's own immediate welfare -- this is what brings real and eternal life. This does not mean don't seek God's blessing us, or healing us physically and emotionally. But our motive in seeking God's blessing should be to enable us to obey him and follow the path of Jesus.
To deny yourself means to reject your own desires, self-interests and priorities. This is extremely unnatural, because your primary motivation is to please yourself.
Take Up Your Cross
Jim Foxvog
September 14, 2003
Mark 8. 27-38
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?
"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."
"If anyone wishes to come after me, let him be prepared to be led out to public execution, following my example"
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."
"If anyone wishes to come after me, let him be prepared to be led out to public execution, following my example"
How different from the easy, present-day interpretation of a lasting sickness or a lingering unpleasant and painful circumstance! NO! This has nothing to do with our "cross"!
Taking up the cross means facing persecution and death for Jesus' sake. Think about yourself. Are you living with a martyr's attitude, that is, willing to suffer or die for the cause of Christ? Be put to shame publicly, hung naked and dying in presence of jeering enemies. Experiencing mockery and rejection.
Jews applied to crucified criminals the terrifying statement of the law that ‘anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse.’ (Deuteronmy 21:23) Religious world will treat those taking up the cross as cursed, heretics and blasphemers.
Following Jesus, worshiping Jesus, was an act of blasphemy to the Jews and an act of treason to the Romans. We cannot have two masters. We can not serve God and Country. To follow Jesus is a dangerous political act. Obeying our Lord and King is an act of treason to the principalities and powers.
Deny yourself. Not "self-actualization," making the most of oneself, seeking one's own greatest influence and power and welfare. Abandonment of one's own immediate welfare -- this is what brings real and eternal life. This does not mean don't seek God's blessing us, or healing us physically and emotionally. But our motive in seeking God's blessing should be to enable us to obey him and follow the path of Jesus.
To deny yourself means to reject your own desires, self-interests and priorities. This is extremely unnatural, because your primary motivation is to please yourself.
What
will it mean for you to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow
Jesus?