Following Jesus

by Katie Harding on March 7, 2022

Have you ever wondered, if we pick up our cross and follow Jesus, where is He leading us?

That question was on my heart as I sat before the communion table at the Ash Wednesday Service. Positioned around the auditorium were six different stations for us to visit: Communion, Confession, Petition (gratitude/prayer), Generosity (alms giving), Sacrifice (giving up), and Lament (ashes). I saved Communion for last, because I wanted time to sit and reflect. So, as I waited for my turn to approach the table, I thought about the question. “If we are following Jesus, where is He leading us?"

In Mark 8, Jesus asked His disciples, “'But who do you say that I am?’” After Peter answered, “’Thou art the Christ,’” Jesus began to plainly explain that the Son of Man must suffer many things, be rejected by the Jewish leaders, be killed, and after three days rise again. What Jesus stated didn’t correspond with what Peter expected, so Peter “took Him [Jesus] aside and began to rebuke Him.” Jesus in turn admonished Peter and said, “‘Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.’” Then Jesus turned to the multitude and said, “‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me’” (Mark 8:27-34).

Jesus told the crowd if they wanted to accompany Him, they had to be willing to deny themselves. Denying ourselves isn’t like saying no to the piece of chocolate cake we want to eat but saying no to the “what about me” attitude we often exhibit. It’s saying no to the thoughts that paralyze our actions or move us to look to others for approval. It’s saying no to wanting others to live up to our expectations. We need to be willing to let go of focusing on self, and set our minds on God’s interests instead.

This is easier said than done. As you interact with others, check yourself and notice how quickly your thoughts turn toward something about you.

When Jesus told them to pick up their cross, they didn’t envision his sacrificial death as we do. They had no comprehension of what was to come, although they were familiar with the practice of crucifixion, which was common in the Roman Empire. Throughout His time on earth, Jesus continually told His disciples they would experience suffering because He was calling them to a life that was counter-cultural — a life based on gentleness, humility, and love, instead of power, prestige, and pride.

This can be as challenging for us as it was for them because we, too, live in a culture that values these three P’s.

Then Jesus said to follow Him. But follow Him where? As I thought about this during the Ash Wednesday service, I thought about how often we follow Jesus and stop at the cross — focusing on Jesus’ sacrificial death for our sins and the forgiveness He offers and go no further. But Jesus didn’t stop at the cross, so neither should we. It wasn’t just His death that changed the world, but His resurrected life. If we follow Jesus, then we must move beyond the cross, too, from death-to-sin to a new life in Christ.

As we continue on our Lenten Journey, let us consider Jesus’ command to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. Of these three, which might be an area where growth is needed for you?