Matthew Chapter 16

Here is the link for Matthew Chapter 16, and verse 24 from that chapter.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

I have spent four days mulling these words, but I am far from sorting out the message.

There will be multiple posts related to this passage, but I think the best place to start is this:

In these words, Jesus intimately links the cross and discipleship.   He even goes so far as to make the cross a prerequisite for the ability to follow.

Let me say that again, just so it isn’t missed.  If you intend to follow Jesus, personal crosses are part of the deal.

As I wrestled with that notion, I began to understand that I have been hoping for something different.  I envisioned, at least at the end of the process, a clean, uncluttered, (even easy?) way to follow Jesus.  I assumed anything that did not fall in line with my desire to follow could or should simply be set aside.

Its not that I was against bearing crosses.  It was more that I saw them as something to be endured when they appeared as opposed to an integral part of my relationship with my Savior.

In my perfect dream, I expected that my commitment to follow would somehow lead to uninterrupted bliss once I got it right.

But that isn’t possible.

There are too many factors, too many responsibilities, that require solutions born in hardship for that dream to be realistic.

I am not sure I am ready to go looking for crosses, but I am ready to see them as positive and integral to the process.   They should be dealt with proactively, not left to linger on the side, only to be confronted at my convenience or when circumstances dictate they can no longer be avoided.

Its hard to describe precisely.  Its early in the process, but I hope I will be able to better recognize the crosses confronting me, and that I will be ready to engage them as potential sources of growth.  In the end, perhaps this will hasten my journey towards Jesus.

Does that make sense?