Monday after Jubilate (5-7-2001)

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." (NKJV)

In the Name of Christ, whose Cross is for us a Tree of Life,

From the above passage, we draw the term "cross-bearing," which will be the theme of this week's devotions. "Cross- bearing" refers to the various trials and afflictions which come into the lives of believers, specifically, for the sake of one's faith in Christ. These may include great risks to honor and possessions, body, and life. At various times, some Christians have misunderstood this passage above to mean that whoever is not martyred is not a true Christian. Our self- righteous sinful nature would also want us to set ourselves up, to look for ways in which we appear to be making self-sacrifices, to gain the attention of others, to make them stop and think, "They must be a lot more religious than me." It has been rightly stated, however, that the Christian should "Pick up the cross where you find it- do not search for it." This self-denial is for the sake of Christ and His Gospel, not for our own gain. What purpose does cross-bearing have? Contrary to the teaching of some religions, Christianity does not guarantee eternal salvation to those who suffer persecution for the sake of their faith. We do not gain brownie points with God by our cross-bearing, as if we could earn our way to heaven. The purpose of cross- bearing was described by the apostle Paul who writes under inspiration, "that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead" (Philippians 3:10). As Dr. Luther also wrote, "through the sufferings of Christ the sufferings of all His saints are made into a holy thing, because they are anointed with the sufferings of Christ. And that is why we must receive all suffering as a holy thing, for it truly is a holy thing."

Prayer (Hymn verse): Why should cross and trial grieve me? Christ is near with His cheer; Never will He leave me, Who can rob me of the heaven that God's Son for my own to my faith hath given? Amen. (ELH 377, v. 1)