Luke 9:23-25: Then he 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 love it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?
Do you sometimes find comfort in a “nice” Jesus?
From my perspective as a parish pastor for many years, we often have a tendency to want to domesticate Jesus. We want a “nice” Jesus. A smiling Jesus. We want a Jesus who is like a decent Boy Scout, who helps older women across the street, takes in stray cats, and never, ever says a cross word to anyone. Afterall, wasn’t it Jesus who said, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” Or was that Thumper?
We often have a tendency to want to domesticate Jesus. We often rub off his rough edges to make him palatable and vanilla, and non-offensive. We want Jesus to be, well, comfortable and approachable, to be our Best Friend Forever, and to “like” us on Facebook.
But that’s not who Jesus is.
This week we’ve looked at life, love, and service based on the question Jesus asked, “Do you love me?” When Jesus asked Peter that question, it was an agape question; Peter, do you love (agape) me with a sacrificial love? Are you willing to give your life for me? Are you willing to take your life, your priorities, your reputation, and everything you have and lay it at the foot of the cross? Are you willing to take up your cross daily and follow Jesus?
As we saw at the beginning of this week, Peter was only able to answer with a phileo kind of answer. Yes, Jesus, we’re buds. I love you, man.
And we saw that Jesus accepted Peter just where he was; accepting and loving him just as he was, unconditionally and without reservation.
But we also saw that while Jesus loved Peter just as he was, Jesus loved him far too much to let him stay that way. Jesus wanted to lead Peter into a deeper life of discipleship. Jesus wanted to give him a transformative personal experience with his own sacrificial love. Jesus wanted to invite Peter into a life of taking up his cross daily, and following him.
There’s nothing “nice” about taking up your cross and dying to your own will and desires. But there is something ultimately redemptive about losing our lives for the sake of knowing Jesus.
Ultimately a “nice” Jesus doesn’t do much for you. But living a sacrificial life by taking up your cross daily will do absolutely everything for you, both now and for an eternity.
Take up your cross daily. Love Jesus. Serve others. That’s an agape love.
Questions to Ponder:
- What does “taking up your cross daily and following Jesus” mean to you? Are you comfortable with doing it daily, or does it make you uneasy? How would you explain your answer?
- This has been a challenging week on this transformative personal journey through Lent. What are ways in which you’ve grown or deepened in your life of discipleship? What are some things you’ve learned? Are there some things you might do differently in the coming weeks?
Prayer for Today: Gracious and merciful and loving Lord, draw me close to you. In times when I feel entitled to what I want, remind me of what You desire. Let me live to you and in you, no matter what that takes. Be with me as I lose my life in order to gain Your life in me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Today we have two songs; a traditional praise song (love this version) and a funky happenin' love song to God that was sent to me from a Brad in Wisconsin whose coolness greatly exceeds mine.
And...
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