The cross is the shape of Christianity. I’m not talking about a symbol that we wear on necklaces or tattoos. I’m about how the cross should shape our lives, our choices, our actions. Jesus calls his disciples to die to themselves, take up their cross and follow him. We follow him, we do what he did, and that means we give our lives for the mission of God just like he did.
Jesus’ death is victory and freedom for us. Through his death he makes right what was wrong. There is hope for us! Through Jesus’ death we can be reconciled to God. Through Jesus death, we can have hope of both abundant life now and eternal life after death, because we can be reconciled to God. In response, we do what he did, dying to ourselves.
Dying to ourselves means we don’t assume we know best. Dying to ourselves means are humble learners, learning how to live from Jesus. We strive to live as he did. That means we live in close community with others who love him, in regular communication with the Father. Then showing God’s love in word and deed to those around us, all in a self-sacrificial way.
This Jesus way, this cross-shaped way of life, will not necessarily be simple or easy. The cross reminds us that this way of life can include pain and sacrifice. But it is the way of abundant flourishing life. As we walk in step with Jesus, we are walking in step with his Spirit who is with us and in us, working to grow his Fruit in us. Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control, to ourselves, toward God, toward others. As we, like Jesus, die to ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him, we are on mission to make disciples just as he did.
Photo by Grant Whitty on Unsplash
Engaging Scripture 