Followers

AM Psalm 80 • PM Psalm 77, [79]
Deut. 8:1-10 • James 1:1-15 • Luke 9:18-27

Today from St. Luke:

Then he said to them all, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’

This is why I can’t really follow Jesus. I don’t want to pick up the cross. I don’t want to carry such a thing. Ever.

To speak of a cross at the time Jesus was teaching was to talk about something ugly and offensive. His listeners were an occupied people. The Enemy lived among them and ruled over them with the threat of violence. ‘To take up a cross’ was something you were forced to do at the hands of your enemies. It was the last you’d do before they killed you.

It would be like asking you to take up a rope and carry it in front of those who would lynch you. Drag a chain around knowing you might be bound by it, dragged from a truck by it. Carry a belt up to those who would beat you with it. Hold a bullet in your hand that could be fired by a weapon pointed at you.

Jesus pushed people away from him when he talked like that.

When Jesus says he is the Good Shepherd, I gladly let him lead me to green pastures and quiet waters. I’m eager to answer the call Jesus makes to the weary and heavy burdened, looking for rest. I am more than willing to humble myself like a little child when he says that’s how to enter the kingdom of heaven.

But I am not ready to pick up a cross.

Are you?

For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?

Written by Troy Schremmer

Troy works with preschool age children as an enrichment teacher in music and movement. They have a 16-year-old car-driving son(!) and an eight-year-old dog. It’s been really nice to go inside St. Paul’s again.