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Some time ago, I
was in a Christian bookstore and there was a display of
crosses. The sign on the top of the display
proudly proclaimed:
“SALE! CROSSES 50% OFF”
I didn’t think much about it at the time, however as we
move closer to the celebration of the resurrection I
find myself thinking about the cross and what
Jesus endured on that instrument of torture. The story
of the “Rich Young Ruler” in Mark 10 comes to mind. Here
is what verse 21 says, “Then Jesus, looking at him,
loved him, and said to him, One thing you lack: Go your
way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and
you will have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the
cross, and follow Me.” Jesus commands us to “take
up our cross.” Jesus didn’t tell us to find a
cross of our choosing and follow him; He said take
up “the cross”.
Too many of us would like to find a cross on
sale, a bargain cross that is comfortable. Some
days I want my cross to be made out of plastic,
light and not hard to carry. Then there are days that I
want my cross to be small so that I can put it
out of sight when I don’t want to attract too much
attention. Then there are times I want my cross to be
made out of gold and jewels so that people can know how
wealthy I am.
The truth is that the cross is not cheap, it is
not on sale, and we do not choose its appearance. The
cross for you and me is a plain, rough, wooden cross
that takes a lot of effort to carry. This is our
cross, the cross on which Jesus was
crucified. And this is the cross of discipleship,
which we, as his followers must carry.
However, there is one important difference between the
cross Jesus carried and the one we must bear.
Jesus bore his cross alone but we have help. The
same Jesus who said, “take up the cross” also
says in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to Me, all you who labor
and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My
yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and
lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
There are no crosses for sale, but I do know
where you can get one free! We cannot get to Easter
until we come to the CROSS! Have a blessed
Easter!
Love, Fred |
