Magnify Him
Mark 8:34
‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.’
On Nov 17th 2019 I was baptised at Gas Street Church, slightly a year after I first believed and was touched by the Holy Spirit. I was ready to celebrate this public declaration. But nothing prepared me for the feeling I had the night before baptism as I randomly flicked to a page in the Bible, and the above was the verse which I landed on. I was still new to the scripture and the Gospels. My excitement turned into slight apprehension. I didn't understand what this verse truly means. I was slightly terrified to be honest... What did Jesus mean by saying take up your cross?
At that time, it immediately conjured up feelings of pain, suffering and excruciating death. Hmmm, I parked it aside for a good two years and I thank God for unpacking the meaning bit by bit. You see, he hears all the questions I throw at him, and at his appropriate time, he answers each one with gentleness and truth.
By asking us if we will bear our own cross, Jesus is confronting scenarios – "Will you give up comfort and leisure in readiness to stand with me, have me walk with you through some difficult places? Will you let me show you realities where I need you to be a source of light for me? Will you tell others about me even if they might not like you for it? Will you teach and share the Good News to others even if it feels counter cultural and against the currents of the world? Will you place your security in me, and not on possessions, policies, and worldly promises of wealth, health and relationships? Will you take up your cross and place your faith in me as I equip you and intercede for you, including the times you will waver? Are you willing to be transformed for greater good? Will you stand for what breaks my heart and partake in helping and healing others too? Will you watch me part the seas for you as you cry out to me at cliff-edge moments?”
"… follow me."
I hope we will be encouraged in faith, that even through sufferings, we can choose to rejoice, to praise, to sing and place all our hopes on the decisive Victor, Jesus Christ. The cross we bear is the One we magnify.
Prayer – Give us grace and courage, Lord, to take our conversion into daily discipleship. Help us be good witnesses, to always follow your lead and glorify your Holy Name.