“My concern is provoked by the observation that so many who understand themselves
to be followers of Jesus, without hesitation, and apparently without thinking, embrace
the ways and means of the culture as they go about their daily living ‘in Jesus’ name.’
But the ways that dominate our culture have been developed either in ignorance or in
defiance of the ways that Jesus uses to lead us as we walk the streets and alleys, hike
the trails, and drive the roads in this God- created, God- saved, God- blessed, God-
ruled world in which we find ourselves. They seem to suppose that ‘getting on in the
world’ means getting on in the world on the world’s terms, and that the ways of Jesus
are useful only in a compartmentalized area of life labeled ‘religious.’”
| Eugene H. Peterson, The Jesus Way: a conversation on the ways that Jesus is the way

The cross is not a coming attraction, not a tool of discipleship we can pick up when it is more convenient or comfortable.  The person who would share space with Jesus must leave room for the cross.  It is a package deal; they go together.  

We can cross our fingers and our toes but as Christians, there is no avoiding it.  We cannot follow Christ without a cross.  It is more important than clothing and money.  Jesus tells his disciples to take nothing for their journey: no bag, no tunic, no money, not even an extra shirt (Luke 9.3).  This Lenten season, we cut back on carbohydrates and chocolates, television and other temptations.  But, the call to follow Christ cuts back more than that. 

Hands free, Jesus wants to make sure that nothing gets in the way of our cross.  No family to hold on to, no money or materials to possess, our death to the self and its temporal needs is the aim.  This is more than cutting back or taking a step back to reflect.  This is the Way.  

The cross is a condition of discipleship.  “Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16.24, NRSV).  However, this is not about morbidity but humility.  John the Baptist was clear on his position, “He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3.30).  Dietrich Bonhoeffer would agree; he writes, “Self- denial means knowing only Christ and no longer oneself.”

Consequently, we must not say we are finding ourselves if we have found Christ.  We cannot say we have no purpose in life if we now live in him.  We should not say we don’t know where to go or have no place to be.  The cross, the cross is the way.

The season of Lent has begun and I want to invite you to read the reflections offered in the McCall Lenten Devotional, of which I am a proud contributor. You can also sign up to have them electronically delivered daily by clicking here.