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THE CROSS

by Bob Wickizer

Scripture: Luke 9:23


The Cross
Bob Wickizer
Luke 9:23


In a few minutes we will complete this service of remembrance by placing a cross in front of the entrance to the altar. This is not to tell us that a wooden cross itself is the object we worship. No, in fact the cross of Jesus is the electric chair of the first century. It was an instrument of state execution. No, we do not worship the cross. At best we follow it. We follow Simon of Cyrene lugging that heavy Roman cross arm, dragging it through the streets while he stumbles following a flogged and bloody Jesus to a certain death.

This cross in front of the altar rail is not a blockade preventing us from partaking of the body and blood of Jesus tonight. No, that body and that blood is freely given for you. And we will have it tonight. That cross does not block us. At best it beckons us - to take up our own crosses and follow him. No brothers and sisters, we have our own crosses of self-pity, of self-importance, of self-indulgence, of self above others, of self below others, of self-denial, of self-concern, of self-pretentiousness, of self-esteem, of self-destruction, of self, of self, of self. These are our crosses.

Neither should this cross we place sideways across that gap should be a source of pride. Christians should not take themselves as the only people in the world that God cares about. That is a heresy. Christians should not believe that they are saved because of some church formula because that is a heresy too. Christians should not believe that whatever their understanding of Christ is, that it is the only valid understanding. Other people in this world who may have never heard the Gospel read to them in their own language may actually know Christ better than we do. The cross of Jesus is a cross of humility. Jesus said ''Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.''

Nor should Christians take this cross as a source of embarrassment or shame. Just because ...

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