Year B, Second Sunday in Lent

Inspired by Mark 8:31-38

“[Jesus] called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.  For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.’”  Mark 8:34-25

What does it mean to ‘take up your cross’ and follow Jesus?  Frequently this term is used to describe any misery or unpleasantness in our lives that we feel we have no choice in, regardless of whether or not it has anything to do with proclaiming the gospel.

Yet Jesus meant it in a very specific way.  He’d just finished telling his disciples that he must undergo great suffering, be rejected by the religious authorities, be killed, and then after three days rise again.  Peter took Jesus aside and actually criticized and reprimanded Jesus for his words, rebuking him just as Jesus had earlier rebuked demons, evil spirits, and raging storms.

Peter was trying to protect his friend Jesus, but perhaps more importantly, Peter was also trying to protect his own image of who Jesus was.  Peter had just witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration.  He had just confessed him as the Messiah.  And the Messiah of Peter’s understanding would never suffer rejection or death, even if it did mean he would rise again three days later.  Peter expected his Messiah to act in a certain way, and when Jesus stated his intention to act contrary to Peter’s expectations, Peter tried to step in with authority and control, and put Jesus on the path that Peter had set for him.

Taking up your cross and following Jesus means giving up all claims to power and control over not only Jesus, but your own life.  It’s widely understood that Christians are not to seek out glory for themselves, but we’re not to seek out misery and suffering, either.  Rather, we are to seek Jesus, and follow where he leads, regardless of whether we agree with it or understand it, and regardless of the impact on our own lives.  Sometimes we’ll actually benefit, sometimes not.  But in all cases, Jesus is Messiah, spreading his gospel throughout the world, and it is our calling to accompany and assist him on this mission.

Merciful God, you reach out to the undesirables of the world in the uncomfortable places.  Grant us the courage to follow you faithfully, that we may not second-guess your mission and thus set ourselves against you.  Through Christ our Lord, Amen.