Take up our cross? Mark 8:31-38

Mark 8:31-38 Gospel reading for Sunday 4th March 2012

For this second Sunday in Lent we jump right into the middle of Mark's Gospel to a reading that picks up on Jesus' attempt to further teach the disciples about the pathway to the cross that was confronting him. The disciples of course still largely did not get it ... and good old Peter is yet again the scapegoat for verbalizing what everyone else was probably thinking.

But I want to focus on the second part of the reading, that uses the term "take up their cross" (or take up our cross). So what does that mean?

It is highly likely that the people at that time,would have jumped straight to a literal view. Crucifixions were common in the first century at the time Mark was writing this gospel. People were sentenced to death on the cross for a reason. They could have literally read this as "being prepared to suffer the consequences - bravely carrying their cross to the site of  crucifixion." In a slightly more metaphorical sense in the context of being identified as a Christian, it may have been understood as encouragement to "proudly stand up for what you believe. Stand firm and know that it is going to cost to be associated with the name of Jesus."

So what has changed for us today? In that same metaphorical sense ... not much. In the 21st century it is still tough being a Christian and getting tougher ... maybe not yet (in our country at least) to the point of putting our physical life on the line, but at times it can be hard work being a Christian in our society. In some ways also it is hard work being a Lutheran School in a largely secular world ... yet in both cases the rewards are still high!

Perhaps there is also another thread of thinking in taking up our cross. Maybe there is a sense in which this can be interpreted as ... the challenge to forget the idea of putting ourselves first, but instead placing the well-being of others as a higher priority. Taking up our cross is summarized beautifully by Paul in Philippians 2:

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

New International Version (NIV)

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May our Lutheran Schools continue to be strong Christian communities, where we strive to continually look for opportunities to raise up and enhance the well-being of those around us. We are especially challenged to look out for the needs of anyone who is placed in our path (as in the parable of the Good Samaritan.) In a global society, through technology and the media, isn't that everyone?

Nev