Day 20 of Lent :: Accepting the Cross

“A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, 

was passing by on his way in from the country, 

and they forced him to carry the cross.” 


(Mark 15:21)

We can only imagine the awful weight of the cross Jesus carried.  It was not just the weight of beams of wood that pressed down upon Him. It was also the weight of the burden He carried for those whom He loved.  He came to offer them life, and they returned death.

Jesus fell from the crushing weight of pain and grief; how many times He fell, we do not know.  We do know His physical strength was failing because the soldiers recognized it and forced a man from the crowd to help Him carry the cross to the place where He would be crucified.  Perhaps the soldiers were afraid that He would die before reaching the top of the hill.  Simon, the man of Cyrene who picked up Jesus’ cross, was just a bystander who paused on his way into town, but without hesitation, he took the weight of the cross to save Christ’s strength.

Reflection: I would like to think that had I been there, I would have rushed from the crowd and volunteered to carry that cross for You.  But, would I have had the courage to face the Roman soldiers and risk being forced to join You on a cross?   Would I have really been so eager to share Your cross if it meant that I might have to die on one as well?  

Would I have been willing to risk everything to ease Your suffering for a few moments, letting You know that You were not alone?  Or would I stayed away because “I have my own crosses already.  I have as much as I can bear without taking on the added burdens of others.”  Too, what would people think of me, if I were seen consorting with criminals and enemies of Rome in such a public spectacle? 
So instead of offering to help, would I have tried to become invisible in the crowd?  When the soldiers were looking around for someone to press into service, would I have looked away and pretended not to notice what was happening?

It is easy to pretend not to see the needs, the grief, and the suffering around me every day.  It is easy to pretend not to hear the cries for help that come in many forms from those among whom I walk every day.   It is easy to convince myself that I am too busy, too tired, or have too much on my plate already to get involved in the lives of others.  There are simply too many who need too much.

And yet I remember something You said, something about taking up my cross and following You.  You said something about becoming a servant of all and putting myself last and others first. 
Is this what it means to be a servant?  Jesus, are You showing me what it means to be that kind of servant?  Is this man from Cyrene modeling for me the path of discipleship?

Must Jesus bear the cross alone,

And all the world go free?

No, there's a cross for everyone,



And there's a cross for me.


(Sam Cooke)

Prayer: “Lord, forgive me for becoming so preoccupied with myself that I have become deaf and blind to the grief and suffering of those around me.  Forgive me for my indifference.  Forgive me for covering my eyes and looking away from the needs of others.  Heal my callousness that has caused me to become numb to others’ pain and hurts.

“Constantly remind me, Lord, that I cannot love You without loving others as well.  Help me always remember that to be a follower of Yours means that I share in the burdens of others.  Help me see these burdens and begin to extend my hands to help.  Lord, show me someone whose cross I can help carry.”

Day 19 of Lent :: Embracing the Cross

Then He (Jesus) said to them all:
“Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and
take up their cross daily and follow Me.”
(Luke 9:23 TNIV)

Then He told them what they could expect for themselves: 

“Anyone who intends to come with Me has to let Me lead.  

You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am. 
Don’t run from suffering; embrace it.  

Follow Me and I’ll show you how.” 

(Luke 9:23 MSG)

We all have a cross to bear is a phrase used by different people in various ways, mostly as pseudo-comfort to someone who is whining about some circumstance or situation.   Jesus, however, did have a cross to bear.  His cross purchased forgiveness of sins for all who receive it.  It was an act of surrender and selfless sacrifice.  Through Christ’s bearing His cross, a means for sins to be forgiven is extended to all humanity.  While our small sacrifices will not result in the forgiveness of sins, they do often serve to reach the world around us.  As we daily learn the art of surrender and discover what it means to take up my cross and follow Christ, we take on the very nature of Christ.


Carrying one’s cross has nothing to do with a contrived self-mutilation or submission to difficulty or misfortune.  It is not about going through life with an apathetic que será será, whatever will be, will be, resignation to the challenges of life. On the contrary, carrying one’s cross has everything to do with an active, attentive, joy-filled abandonment to doing the will of Christ.  Denying one’s self is not self-abasement, but rather a radical reorientation of one’s priorities in life.  To fulfill Christ’s will does, however, mean placing the concerns of God’s Kingdom before the pursuit of our own personal kingdoms that are built on our own security, possessions, status, and power.  The world in which we live looks at a Christ-follower lifestyle as ridiculous, but to lean solely on Christ is the apex of wisdom.  The world sees the way of the cross as ultimate weakness, but it is the greatest source of strength.


Prayer: “Father God, I want to be a person who has the courage to trust Christ with everything that I am and ever hope to be.  As I go through my day(s), show me any area where I am trusting in my own accomplishments, intellect, education, status, position, or perceived importance to find my security, rather than in You alone. I am grateful for all that You have given me in this life, but may these things not be what define me.  May I truly learn what it means to deny myself, take up my cross daily and follow You.”

“The cross is laid on every Christian. 

The first Christ-suffering which every man must experience


is the call to abandon the attachments of this world.”[i] 


(Dietrick Bonhoeffer)

[i] Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship, 89.

Day 18 of Lent :: A Different Kind of King

“They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on His head. They put a staff in His right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt in front of Him and mocked Him.
‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ they said.”
(Matthew 27:28-29)

Reflection: Jesus, I cringe at the pain of the thorns, but I am wounded far more deeply by the humiliation and degradation You suffered.  The very thing You came to offer us as a gift, Your Kingship, became a thing of ridicule by the Roman soldiers.  The crowds thought of a King in terms of power.  You came to be a King Who shepherds His people, Who takes responsibility for their well-being, Whose principles are faithfulness, justice, and righteousness.  And yet, people are not always ready for that kind of King.

I would like to think that I am ready to follow You, Who offer a Kingdom of peace and love.  But am I?  Am I willing to yield my ideas of what the Kingdom should be and accept the role of a servant?  Am I willing to give up my human preoccupation with power and control, and then accept a crown that is different from what I was expecting?

You accepted the Cross in the midst of mockery; You could have refused it.  What more could they have done to You?  You began this journey knowing full well where it would lead, yet I hear no words of complaint, no protestations of innocence, no cursing the injustice.    You accepted Your cross without self-pity.[i] 

In contrast, I am so prone to complain and whine about the most trivial things.  Other times, the things I face in my life are more than trivial; troubles bear down upon me, and I easily slip into self-pity.  Too often, I assume that I am the only one who bears a cross, or that my cross is larger and heavier than any others.  This is not true.  People around me often bear far more than I must bear.

Prayer: “Lord, forgive me for forgetting that in my weakness I am driven to trust You, and in that trust I become strong: ‘Your power is made perfect in my weakness.’ (2 Corinthians 12:9) Forgive my attitude of self-pity that makes me more repulsive than lovable.  I do not ask for crosses to bear, but when they come, give me the strength to bear them as I follow Your example.”

---

[i] The devotional thought for Day 18 & 20 were inspired by Dr. Dennis Bratcher. http://www.crivoice.org/stations.html.

Day 17 of Lent :: The Procession

But they shouted, “Take Him away!
Take Him away! Crucify Him!”
(John 19:15)

Prior to being murdered by crucifixion, Jesus spent the last few hours of His life in several places around Jerusalem.  His evening began in the southwestern part of Jerusalem in the Upper Room.  Here at the Last Supper, He told the disciples that His body and His blood were to be given for them. The intensity of His emotional experience at that table is unfathomable.  In contrast, the disciples seemed to be more occupied with who would sit in the seat of greatness once Jesus was gone. 

Next, Jesus went outside the city to the Garden of Gethsemane and asked the disciples to pray with Him as He poured out His heart in agony to the Father.  The Bible says He was in “anguish” and “agony,” which could be translated “engaged in combat.”  The Gospel writer, Luke, who was also a Physician, adds a significant detail, “His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” (Luke 22:44)  While the phenomenon of sweating blood is rare, it is actually a medical condition known as hematidrosis.  When an individual experiences extreme stress or seismic shock to his system, the tiny capillaries around the sweat pores become fragile and begin to leak blood into the sweat.  As difficult as the prayer time was for Jesus, it was only the beginning of what was going to be a long night, then a day of walking, intense pressure, abuse, and mockery—all without food or water.

When the angry mob entered the garden, they arrested Jesus and took Him to the palace of the High Priest.  Annas, a former High Priest, and Caiaphas, Annas’ son in law, questioned Him.  Jesus was then tried by the Sanhedrin, accused of blasphemy because He proclaimed Himself the Son of God.  He was sentenced to death.  Since only the Romans were allowed to execute criminals, Jesus was sent to Pontius Pilate.  When Pilate found nothing criminal in His actions, he sent Jesus on to King Herod, who sent Him back to Pilate.  Submitting to the pressure of the crowd, Pilate ordered Jesus to be flogged, then crucified outside the city walls.

Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium
and gathered the whole company of soldiers around Him.  They spit on Him, and took the staff and struck Him on the head again and again.  After they had mocked Him, they took off the robe and put His own clothes on Him. Then they led Him away to crucify Him. (Matthew 27:27,30-31)

Reflection: The events of the evening seemed so brutal, almost out of control. Political and religious powers seemed to be slapping Jesus around like a helpless rag doll.  But things are never as they seem. Considering the events that have transpired since we first began journeying with Jesus from the Upper Room, reflect on the following statement by Jesus.

“No one takes it (My life) from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord.  I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. 
This command I received from My Father.”
(John 10:18)

Prayer: “Jesus, no one forced You to take up the cross, nor lay down Your life.  You willingly surrendered to the will of the Father and laid down Your heavenly rights as sin-stained evildoers mocked You, tortured You, and laid the cross beam on Your bloody back.  You willingly laid down Your life for me.  So often, I pack my bags when the going gets tough, throw in the towel when the heat gets turned up, and simply quit when I become tired and discouraged.  Help me to see that following You, is about You.  It is not about me.”

Fasting Focus :: Week Three of Lent :: Embracing the Cross

Third Week of Lent

Embracing the Cross

Sweets, Treats, and Self Indulgence

Jesus said, “Deny yourself, take your cross daily and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23) As a fasting discipline for this week, resolve to spend nothing on yourself except that which is absolutely necessary.  Such a form of fasting quickly reveals from where we draw our source of life.  This will be an appropriate focus for fasting as we reflect on Jesus’ taking up His cross.

This week, buy no new clothes or gadgets, books or music, and eat cheaply.  Don’t go to the movies or buy coffee or candy.  Save the money, or give to someone in need what you would have spent on coffee, treats and entertainment.

Keep journal entries of what happens inside you when you deny yourself something you really want or something to which you have become accustomed.  How does it affect you?  Why?  What does this teach you about the source of your life?

“Life is not defined by what you have,
even when you have a lot.”
(Luke 12:15 MSG)  

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,
but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
(Romans 14:17 TNIV)

Day 16 of Lent :: Breaking Silence

“There is a time to be silent
and a time to speak.”
(Ecclesiastes 3:7)

The wisdom writer of the book of Ecclesiastes said “there is a time for everything.”  There is a time to remain silent, just as Jesus did before Pilate, and steadfastly trust in God to be our shield and our defense.  There are also times to break the barriers of silence when God asks us to be the shield and defense for others.  On these occasions, we must speak up.

Few people relish conflict.  Sometimes it is easier to pretend not to hear what co-workers are saying than it is to confront them.  Although we may not be participating in the negativity or adding to the gossip or contributing to the juicy rumors, our silence does not free us from our guilt.  Although we may internally disapprove as we quietly sit listening, our silence may very well be interpreted as agreement. 

The New Testament writer, James, was writing to a group of people who had become accustomed to overlooking the less fortunate.  They had slowly been numbed by the familiarity of those in need around them.  Simply put, they responded with ignorance, silence, or worse yet, by saying “God bless and good luck,” to those in need, then quickly went on about their day.  James wrote, “if you know the good you ought to do and don’t do it, you sin.” (James 4:17)

Reflection: Are there conversations you have listened to in “silent agreement”?  Why haven’t you spoken up?  What would it be like to either remove yourself from the conversation or to lovingly speak up?  Ask God to forgive you for the occasions of “silent agreement” and to make you aware of them in the future.  There is a time to be silent, and there is a time to speak.  May we have the wisdom, discernment, and grace to not confuse the two.

Day 15 of Lent :: Helping the Helpless

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
(Psalm 34:18)

Today, may our attention be drawn to some of those in the world who could use a voice speaking on their behalf.  May our awareness first turn us to prayer, and then, perhaps, to action.  There are many in the world who need a voice. Let us consider one large population that often goes unnoticed.

According to the United Nations, twenty-seven million individuals are held as slaves throughout the world.  Of those who are trafficked across international borders, it is estimated that seventy-percent of them are women and young girls who are being sold into prostitution.  One million of these are children who are brutally exploited by the global sex trade.  This is not a new reality.  According[i] to the organization, Unite for Children (UNICEF), these numbers have been consistent for the past thirty years.  This means that two children have been sold, raped, and resold, every minute of every day for the past thirty years.  Thirty million children lost to the villainy of injustice is no small number to ignore, nor is the thirty-two billion dollars accumulated annually from human trafficking.

"If we respect the image of God in other persons,” writes Ron Sider, “we must give them what is their due.”[ii] If we are truly "ambassadors" for God, then the Gospel should, in some way, compel us toward prayer and action. (2 Corinthians 5:14-21)

Prayer: The realties of injustice in the world are astounding, and God’s heart breaks for such atrocities.  Christ died to bring healing to the broken, and the Church has a responsibility to extend this healing to the world.  Spend time praying for those who have no voice raised in their defense.

Learn more: Visit the website of International Justice Mission (www.ijm.org) to learn more about what is happening in the world and what others are doing to become voices for justice.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:

to look after orphans and widows in their distress

and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
~James 1:27

---

[i] www.unicef.org

[ii] Ronald Sider, Justice, Human rights, and Government, 164