1^st May 2010

SEEDS FOR HARVESTING 5/15

Luke 14:27
"Whoever does not carry his own cross
and come after Me, cannot be My disciple."

For the disciples a cross was a sign of suffering.
They would immediately think of
agonising, human suffering and death.

For those of us who dwell on the other side of the cross
it is a symbol of God's victory over a sinful world.
How much more difficult it would have been
for His disciples to accept these words
than it is for us.

The key words here are
"His own cross" and "My disciples."
Our discipleship is though our commitment to our Lord.
But to carry our own cross is our own responsibility.

The Cross suggests to us two challenges:
Are we really His disciples?
Have we really taken up our cross and all that implies?

For us, the cross, has to do with discipleship.
For the Jews it was a stumbling block.
For the Gentiles it was foolishness
For us, our cross links us with all
of God and His grace and glory
and what Jesus accomplished on His cross.

As disciples we follow Jesus
through the darkness of Good Friday
into the light of Resurrection Sunday
and on into the glory of eternity.

Bob Imms 2.5.10