Two things: 1. This is gonna be real Jesus-y to either buckle up or get out. 2. I don't claim to be theological, I am just claiming that I love Jesus.
side note: lookin' REAL rough in every single picture i take lately. To the point where i'm incredibly insecure about all the things. Real attractive, i know, i know.
I lead a group of high school seniors at a youth group that my church runs on Tuesday nights. It's Easter, so naturally, we're all up in the gospel and Jesus is raisin' from the dead....and shit. (sorry, it's a thing. i giggled, you'll live)
I love Easter. I makes me weepy in a way Christmas does not. It's gut wrenching and extraordinary, and it makes me feel all the things.
Jesus died so we can live. Beautiful. Yes, i believe that in the core of my being. I believe that Jesus walking out of that tomb changed everything.
It wasn't the end, but rather the catalyst, the rising action in the story board of human kind.
Jesus changed everything. I think that we fail to grasp the gravity of that, or at least I do, all.the.damn.time.
I like to make the people of the Bible real, i give them personalities and voices and Peter is probably my favorite and the disciple i most relate to.
Because Peter is a shit storm and so am i. He's passionate. He's all "I love you Jesus! i'm with you"..and 5 mins later...."nope, never met the guy" and "jesus, who." Yeah, bitch move, Peter.
and he's all "holy shit , i'm walking on water!" then immediately, he's like "SHIT i'm walking on water" and falls.
train wreck. Full of passion, full of a heart for Jesus. Tragically human, so he messes up a lot. He's probably the loud clumsy one, and all the other disciples rolled their eyes a lot but respected him for his passion.
Me and Peter. We be the same.
Peter was also the rock on which God built his church. Score one for the underdogs like me and old pete.
Anyway, tonight we were talking about the Mark 8:34-35
And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.
I would also like to point out right before this, Jesus is telling his people what's about to happen and Good Old Peter loses his shit and is all like "dang, Jesus, that is not ok" and then Jesus is all "get behind me satan"
Classic Peter. Classic Jesus.
What concerns me most tonight, though, is the "take up your cross" part. Now, i have literally read, memorized, seen this passage about a bajillion times and never put too much thought into it because i understand that "lose your life" simply means....not being ruled by worldly things....and in living like Jesus, you find your identity, your gifts, your passions...and you, you know, advanced the kingdom
cool.
but what the hell does "take up your cross" mean? i'm also gonna be real honest, i haven't looked it up, i'm sure there are essays upon essay flushing out this very thing. Also...a different translation...would perhaps offer insight.
i've looked at none of those things, and i'mma just tell you what i think.
1. Though, Jesus died for us, we're still horribly human, and we have baggage and burdens and sin...and we are called to take all of that and follow Jesus....he doesn't take it away, we still have to lug it around. Take up what makes you a sinner in need of a savior and show people what is it...and be secure in the fact that restoration is well on its way...and that thing that you lug around...it wont weigh you down for all eternity...Jesus over came all the hate, and anger and addiction and everything else that's shitty...
similarly, taking up a cross could mean bearing the burden of what it means to be a Christ follower. Sacrificing the comfortable life. saying goodbye to your vices.... it means not being understood, it means being counter cultural...it means doing the hard thing when it's the right thing (ugh...sorry about that rhyme. gross)
2. i also really think that "take up your cross" could also mean...show people the cross. Take up your own cross to show people what Jesus looks like. Wear the cross like badge of honor. Walk with the risen lord who was nailed there....to show everyone...that the cross was not the end.
All i know is that we talk about "losing our lives" but i think sometimes we forget about the "take up your cross" part. So Tonight i asked my girls what they thought and they are beautiful and smart and we had all the chats, even the hard ones that made them think a lot.
but it's cool....because Jesus, he's might to save.
and that's something we can all take to the bank. Even modern day Peters like me.
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