February 25
John Albright
He called the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34
When Jesus tells prospective followers to “take up their cross,” what does He mean?
In the Middle Ages, a wildly popular response was for men to paint crosses on their shields, saddle up their horses, and head for Palestine to make war against Muslims. The cross-bearers (English “crusaders”, German “Kreuztraeger”) were responding to an interpretation that does not serve well in our time. The Lutheran college (Susquehanna) where I graduated, fielded athletic teams called “Crusaders”; several years ago they changed the name to “River Hawks” to avoid offending Muslims.
Did Jesus ask us to give up our favorite luxuries for Lent? Somehow it seems that he had something more serious and more difficult in mind.
For many people, the agony of physical and emotional suffering from illness, injury, aging, or death of a loved one is a sad reality. For such cases, there is a cross to bear. But those who do not follow Jesus have these burdens also.
Elsewhere in the Gospels, Jesus tells us, his followers, to love our enemies, to bless those who curse us, and to be kind to all without really expecting kindness in return. We are asked to forgive those who have harmed us physically, emotionally, or financially. These things are much more difficult than giving up something we like because of the season of the church year.
Dear Lord, who once had to carry a cross and die on it, give us strength to bear the burdens of life and even death, so that we may abide in God’s covenant and be numbered among your true followers. Amen
A Covenant of Grace 