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Good morning, Saints; I pray that you and your family are enjoying these few days off for our brief spring break as we look forward to Easter and a little longer break at that time.
During our journey through this season of Lent, as we together observe Christ’s journey to the cross, it got me thinking of the cross, and about our life under the cross as Christians. I didn’t give up anything this year for the season of Lent; rather, I chose to add time in God’s Word, Lenten devotions, and a prayer journal. During these times of reading and reflection, I began to ponder on life under the cross for a Christian and the hope we have that sustains us as Christians. Today’s devotion is dedicated to sharing briefly about this blessing.
In today’s scripture reading, Jesus shares the truth about being His follower with His disciples. In verse 34, Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” In other versions, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves…” the word disciple is used. Jesus goes on to describe how becoming a disciple means denying oneself. He lets us know that we will have our own cross to bear in this life. Acts 14:22 further gives an account of how Jesus was preaching the gospel and winning disciples over, saying that He “was strengthening the disciples, encouraging them to remain true to the faith.” He goes on to say, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” This is another reminder that our lives on earth will be filled with trials and tribulations as we bear our cross.
The trouble bearing our own cross is partially a question of gravity. After all, it is heavy. Really heavy. It is loaded down with both our actual sins and the original sin of Adam. Sin disconnects us from God in this forsaken world. The weightiness of the cross consists of the consequences of our own sin – things we do and things we leave undone. That includes loving ourselves and things of this world more than loving our neighbors and loving Jesus Christ. In Luke 14:33, Jesus says, “Any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” This is a good reminder of the importance of letting go of things in this world.
It seems impossible to carry our own cross, and in fact, it is impossible to carry our own cross alone. Our cross humbles us and, in an odd way, is also a gift. It reminds us that we are not alone and cannot do it alone. It also reminds us of hope. Our God of love and hope gave us Christ, His Son, to die for our sin. In this living hope, we are comforted as Peter reminds us, “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials.” 1 Peter 1:6.
In the drudgery of the cross, we bear the weight of sin—a reflection of things of this world. The reflection of our cross is sin, death, and damnation. On the other hand, God's love fills us with joy and the hope of heaven. We have hope through faith in Christ and through His death and resurrection—the hope of eternal life in heaven. While our life under the cross is weighty and holds us down, God’s love through Christ’s death gives us joy and lifts us up—a living hope and reminder of eternal life.
Yes, bearing our cross as a Christian is often difficult, for sure. The best counterweight I can think of, Saints, comes from one of my favorite Bible verses and reminds us that no matter how heavy the burden of our cross is, it is vital to let the world know about this living hope as the apostle Peter instructs us, “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” 1 Peter 3:15.
Saints, as we reflect on Jesus’ journey during this Lenten season, let us not forget that although the cross we bear sometimes seems unbearable, our God is a God of love and will never forsake us. Our living hope gives us joy, which makes bearing our own cross more bearable. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Amen!
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