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Benet Hill Monastery, Black Forest, Colorado
The closer we get to Jesus' cross the more we realize the impact it has on our lives.
For this reason we like keeping the cross at arms distance. Like the disciples at Jesus' crucifixion, we're nowhere to be found when we grasp the impact that the cross has on our daily lives. It's easier that way.
"Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Matthew 16:24 English Standard Version
How confusing these words must have felt to Jesus' disciples. They would have no clue what Jesus meant by picking up their crosses. Jesus had not yet been nailed to his. Besides, the cross was a repulsive Roman instrument of torturous death.
Being a disciple of Jesus, we look at his cross to help us understand what it means to pick up our crosses. His cross is the ultimate symbol of selflessness. He gives up everything for you and me. His death is power of our death.
Carrying our cross means dying to self in our relationships.
Carrying our cross means dying to self in our ambitions.
Carrying our cross means being like Jesus. The call of the cross is not a call to suffering for suffering sake. It is a call to live like Jesus as we look at his cross.
For this reason we like keeping the cross at arms distance. Like the disciples at Jesus' crucifixion, we're nowhere to be found when we grasp the impact that the cross has on our daily lives. It's easier that way.
"Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Matthew 16:24 English Standard Version
How confusing these words must have felt to Jesus' disciples. They would have no clue what Jesus meant by picking up their crosses. Jesus had not yet been nailed to his. Besides, the cross was a repulsive Roman instrument of torturous death.
Being a disciple of Jesus, we look at his cross to help us understand what it means to pick up our crosses. His cross is the ultimate symbol of selflessness. He gives up everything for you and me. His death is power of our death.
Carrying our cross means dying to self in our relationships.
Carrying our cross means dying to self in our ambitions.
Carrying our cross means being like Jesus. The call of the cross is not a call to suffering for suffering sake. It is a call to live like Jesus as we look at his cross.
Join the conversation on our Facebook group: Praying With the Eyes
You can listen to the Praying With the Eyes broadcast at the ib network on Sundays at 8:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm and 8:30 pm MST (www.ibnetwork.us). You can also listen to the show on the ib network on Tunin Radio.
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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner. ARR.
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