Why Take Up a Cross - Matthew 16 - Proper 17A

Why Take Up a Cross

Tony E Dillon Hansen

Sermon based upon Matthew 16: 21-28, Psalm 26,Romans 12: 9-21

Opening Prayer

After rebuking Peter for apparent lack of faith, Jesus instructs him and us that whoever follows must be willing to take up their cross. 

What does this mean and why does Jesus say this?

What is so powerful about this is 1) a bit foreshadow but also 2) in the instrument of death and state execution, we have a powerful symbol. We have something that says if you really want, and you really believe, then you must be willing to sacrifice and to sacrifice everything.

That is the power of the cross. It is also a calling and challenge because that is no easy claim. That however is so much for some people. Yes, It is not an easy order. That cross, that letting go and letting go of everything is for what? We want to know what we get …

Personal glory and kudos? For grand recognition and plaques on walls? No. It is for someone that delivers for you and me.

That letting go of everything is part of our baptismal renewal and journey that lets God be God. That lets God reveal to us what is possible rather than us trying to impose an image or characterization, like what Peter did.

We know many people that will wear the armband of Jesus and display publicly their “profound” faith but willing to give up nothing, willing to do nothing more than profess such. That is shallow and a core lesson of Matthew. That our faith and our belief requires of us something more than just rhetoric and a few songs on Sunday. 

That is why I say church is action (like James’s epistle says “faith is action”)  and means for us to do rather than just say.

Belief in Jesus is hard work and means we must be willing to do the necessary, to seek justice in the face of stark injustice, to seek equity in the face of inequality, and to seek love in the face of horrendous violence. When we do, when we lean into our faith In God, we can find courage to take the necessary steps because we have the perfect example in Jesus. 

Yes, hear the words from Romans, and let your love be genuine, be ardent in spirit and serve the Lord - not the money, not prestige, not ourselves.  

Serve the Lord and let God be the judge instead of us or our ego. Let your heart fill with love and good. Let go of what ails you and what concerns you and Let God. Fill your heart with the love of Christ, and when you do, you will have no space for hate and evil.

So taking up a cross is more than something we put on the wall or in the sanctuary. Taking up a cross is living out the commands and life that Jesus lays out for us. Taking up the cross is living in the community and being with people from all walks of life, not just the ones we enjoy and feel comfort. Because you know someone that needs love and the face God in their life. That face can be revealed through us.

When we walk with the homeless, when we march with those seeking justice, when we advocate for the water rights of Native people and advocate to correct wrongs of so many decades of slavery - the horrors of “manifest destiny”, and when we we see the blessed humanity of the migrants seeking a better life (in our cities and our neighborhoods), that is when we do God’s work and we see God among us. It is remembering that the sick need love, and that there are people in our community that need our love and our help today. It is remembering to share a smile.

That is a measure of what Jesus means.

Yes loving God and loving neighbor is hard work every day and every hour, not just the time in the sanctuary. God calls to us to service and also find divine rewards in that service. I guarantee no amount of money or prestige  can fulfill you in the ways that service and especially service with loving heart can.

So remember when you look at the cross, ask yourself what it means to you and what it means for you to do in your life.

Ask God, and Beloved, God will answer. Yes you will find much in that answer. Taking up a cross is work, and at the same time, it comes with rewards beyond comprehension when you let God reveal to you.

That Beloved is…

Thanks Be to God