March 8, 2009 Message

Mark 8: 31-38
"Taking Up Their Cross?"

In Mark 8:34 Jesus tells not only his disciples but also the crowd around him, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” We don’t know how many in the crowd did so, but we do know eleven of his disciples did just that, even though it may have taken awhile before they completely comprehended what he was saying.

How many times have we read or heard those words, and thought about their meaning for us? Jesus comes right out and says it’s going to cost, doesn’t he? And he breaks it down into three parts: the cost of denying ourselves, the cost of taking up our cross, and the cost of following. Jesus tells those who perhaps were thinking, “This isn’t going to be so hard.” that in fact, it may very well be. There is a price to pay.

This past week I had to consider the cost of doing something – not nearly as important as following Jesus – but something I really wanted to do just the same. It was not something I could do anytime, either I would do it now or I wouldn’t. A week before, a friend told me Susan Werner was going to be in Cedar Rapids on the 20th - I was ready to go right then! But first there are things to consider, things like my calendar, the time involved, and the price of the tickets. If there is already a commitment to do something else, or it’s too far away, or it doesn’t fit into the budget – it just doesn’t happen, right? Luckily for me, there was nothing else planned, Cedar Rapids was not that far, and unless the tickets were four times as much as before, I could afford going. And the best part, Althea was okay with our going. So I called and bought the tickets. There is a cost for hearing Susan Werner’s music in person, I understand that and am willing to pay it.

Jesus wants everyone to know there is a cost in following him. 1) God is to be first, not you or us - and especially not me - but God; 2) Complete trust in God is the cross we all must bear; and 3) Walking in Jesus’ footsteps of love and compassion is the path that is to be followed. Not only is there commitment on our part but also expectation.

Jesus is clear. To be his disciples… to enter the Kingdom of God… this life we live, devoted to ourselves, must first die on a cross, not of wood but of trust, the same trust that was Jesus’ and Abraham’s and that allowed God’s promises to be kept.

It is tough… to deny ourselves - to allow this self which is so important, around which everything revolves, to “die”… to no longer be so important, no question about it! It’s not easy. When you’ve been in the drivers seat all these years, it is not easy to sit in the back. And yet that is what we are called to do. It is not that we have to become less important, but rather that we recognize God’s importance. No longer is it a matter of judgment that sets us apart from others, but rather of God’s grace that unites us in our being made worthy.

All of this is made easier by the fact that when we begin to “deny ourselves”… some awesome things happen. Putting God first allows us to see in a small way what God sees and to experience part of what God has promised. Our dying to self requires placing our complete trust in God, of living by faith. That is the cross all of us must bear if we are to follow Christ.

It is a cross not made of wood. It IS NOT the suffering that is inflicted on us by others. It IS NOT something that happens to us because we are human and live in a rotten world. It IS NOT the bad things that happen to us… or the good things we must do for those we love. The cross IS placing our trust in God today, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. Jesus said, “My burden is light, my yoke is easy.” This cross brings peace, God’s peace. And when carried, allows us to follow in Jesus’ footsteps.

Only after putting God first in our lives and then trusting God for today and tomorrow can we follow Jesus’ example of love and compassion. Only then can we be obedient to God and live out the life to which all are called. Our path may not be a physical death as was Christ’s… but it will no doubt involve for us far more than simply performing acts of kindness toward other people… or putting up with difficult situations. Jesus will be present in everything we do and everything we do will be as if Jesus were here himself, leading the way. And that would be a good thing!

I would want that for myself and I would want it for you as well. However there is a cost – a real cost, though a “doable” one. Life doesn’t have to be about me. I don’t have to worry about what’s going to happen tomorrow. I don’t have to continue going my way.

Sure following Christ will mean denial of self so that I can live for God and for others – but it can be done. My reason for doing something doesn’t have to be about me. Instead I can ask myself, “How does this serve God?” Jesus said: "Those who save their life (for themselves) will lose it, those who lose their life (or give it away) for Christ's sake, and for the sake of the good news, will save it."

Lent is a time for repentance, for facing the ways we are broken and have gotten it all wrong. It is a time to trust God’s promise. Well known author, teacher, and former Episcopal priest, Barbara Brown Taylor* calls us "to live reverently, deliberately, and fully awake in the meantime.” “That,” she says, “is what it means to live in the promise, where the wait itself is as rich as its end… (and) as real as the million stars overhead"

Might that then be our cross – to renew and keep alive our trust in God. Trust that when we follow Christ, it isn’t our lives we are giving away - for God's sake and for God’s purpose, rather it is gaining a new life that can be ours in Christ?


Keep in mind that Jesus was talking to his disciples and the others there that day. This was essentially the church before it knew it was the church. He wasn’t talking to just one person, but to all of them - the “church to be.” And he gave them sound advice. “If your focus is on you, and what’s best for you,” he says, “get rid of it. Focus instead on God and following me.” He says, “Trust God to keep promises. Trust God to make things happen. Trust God to be with you. That is my cross and it is your cross as well.” So follow me. Be alive. Focus on the mission God has called you to.

Jesus is pretty clear as to what it means to be his followers. He says deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow him. Put God first, trust God, and do God’s will. That should be easy… or not. Let us pray…