Read: Mark 8:34-38
This passage is familiar but a little confusing, especially to the young, either in age or in coming to Christ. I have heard the phrases “Take up your cross and follow me” and “Give up your life to save it.” What?!????
This makes no sense! It can be a little bit scary to be thrown these phrases as a new Christian, heck even someone like me who grew up in the church and considers it a second home it is a bit scary…who am I kidding a lot scary. I am not that physically strong to carry a huge log on my back and I like living. We need to think of them less literally which can be hard for those young in faith.
The first phase I can grasp, the difficulty of being a follower in a world that just doesn’t seem get it. This is the cross we all must bear; but giving up your life…I guess if you combine the two and stop thinking about all the things that distract us from Christ. We can be dead to those things and alive in Christ…so confusion is starting to get resolved.
Christ is life and being with Christ through all the challenges and distractions of this world is our “crosses.”
Help us, Lord! Give us the strength and courage to do as you have asked. It is hard for us mere mortals to give up what seems important, but we must, so help us. Help me, Lord. I need your strength to carry my cross! My life is yours to do with as you please! Amen.
Tracy Day
This passage is familiar but a little confusing, especially to the young, either in age or in coming to Christ. I have heard the phrases “Take up your cross and follow me” and “Give up your life to save it.” What?!????
This makes no sense! It can be a little bit scary to be thrown these phrases as a new Christian, heck even someone like me who grew up in the church and considers it a second home it is a bit scary…who am I kidding a lot scary. I am not that physically strong to carry a huge log on my back and I like living. We need to think of them less literally which can be hard for those young in faith.
The first phase I can grasp, the difficulty of being a follower in a world that just doesn’t seem get it. This is the cross we all must bear; but giving up your life…I guess if you combine the two and stop thinking about all the things that distract us from Christ. We can be dead to those things and alive in Christ…so confusion is starting to get resolved.
Christ is life and being with Christ through all the challenges and distractions of this world is our “crosses.”
Help us, Lord! Give us the strength and courage to do as you have asked. It is hard for us mere mortals to give up what seems important, but we must, so help us. Help me, Lord. I need your strength to carry my cross! My life is yours to do with as you please! Amen.
Tracy Day