Mark 8:34-38, Mark 9:1
The teaching of taking up my cross to follow Jesus has always been a difficult one for me to embrace. The cross is something hard to look at--the suffering that Jesus went through for our sakes is one I'm so grateful for, because his sacrifice bought me a relationship with my heavenly Father and gives me eternal life. I want to just accept this fact, and not examine it too closely.

But Jesus tells us to take up our cross. I think this means not to run from the things that are ugly and painful in life. When we are wounded, we are more compassionate toward others who hurt. When we take on the sufferings of Jesus, we become closer to him. Romans 8:17-18 reads: ¹⁷Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. ¹⁸I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (NIV)

There is a reward for taking up our cross--for sharing in the sufferings of Jesus--we will share in his glory. If we keep our mind on the prize--our eternity in heaven--then our trials here on earth are lessened. Jesus is with us--now and forever. He has truly felt our pain, and can help us rise above it.

- posted by Suzi @ 6:54 AM