Take Up Your Cross

Scripture: Luke 9:23-24

Then Jesus said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.”

Reaction: This reading is from a Daily Lenten Reflection booklet from C.S. Lewis. In today’s meditation, I pictured myself following Jesus through the narrow streets of Jerusalem as He carried His cross on the way to Calvary. Sometimes I would carry my own cross, or pick up part of His cross, or we would carry His cross together as a team. The message was that we are indeed a team, that He is always with me when I need Him, and that He wants me to always be close to Him, following in His ways.

I also felt that He was directing me to look at the world and my life in a new way: to daily find ways to die to self, serve others, and take of His ways of humility, gentleness, and peacemaking. Several people and situations came to mind as I reflected on these goals, and I now I’m beginning to look at some troublesome people and situations as opportunities to bring Christ to others by acting in their behalf.