Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’ And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’ He 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. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’ And he said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.’Mark 8:27-9:1
We love talking about taking up our cross and following Jesus. Yet, we adorn ourselves with crosses on our necks and ears, but refuse to take on real burdens and give us much of anything. We are fickle and scared like Peter, unable to live a life of true sacrifice and service. We like our comforts too much. I know I do.Yet, we are called to live a sacrificial life meaning one that we give up our idea of how it should be, give up control and let God‘s Holy Spirit dwell deeply in us. It is hard to give up the driver seat, the place of authority, and what we know best to enter a humble place of unknowing.
Gracious Creator, you give us free well to choose our path
Promising to bring us light and love in all places
And calling us to live humbly before you and in the world.
We spend our lives building, wealth and education
Reveling in our authority, power and respect
So that they become are complete vulnerability.
Help us, Lord to take up our cross and follow you
To the places where your light has been dimmed
Being humble and serving the needs of others. Amen.
