Blessings my dears
How’s it going? If not great, hang on to Jesus and wait.
Here’s today’s Holy Nougat™
And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27 NLT
Many years ago, my mom stopped in traffic by a busy intersection for a pedestrian. He looked at her most indignantly and stated, “Mi no want yuh cross lady!” (i.e. I don’t need you to stop so that I might cross the street). She quietly accepted the reprimand and later wondered whether he thought receiving her help was not HIS burden … another cross he’d have to bear.
In Jamaica, we refer to burdens as ‘crosses’, and so carrying one’s own cross should be normal and acceptable for us (“must Jesus bear the cross alone and all the world go free? there is a cross for everyone …” used to be a familiar expression in churches). But in reality, familiarity with the expression might have resulted in some misunderstanding.
For, the symbol of the Cross is NOT about the burdens we face daily, no matter how apt it may seem. Rather, taking our Cross daily speaks to DEATH of our Self-ish attitudes and desires. And, having placed Self under submission, we are definitely ready to follow Jesus.
Death TO Self. Resurrection IN Christ. EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!
For a Disciple MUST yield to the directive of the Teacher. Just like that. Especially if we wish to make it to the top of the class. And while Jesus Christ has died for each of us, we each have to carry our own cross. Each one is crafted to individual specifications. There’s no switching!
So, are we ready for some Discipleship training?
In Christ
