“Carry Your Cross…!”

“Carry Your Cross…!”(Mt. 10:34-39).
One of the cherished attributes of the Lord Jesus Christ is “Prince of peace”(Cf Is. 9:6). At his birth the heavenly host announced his birth to the shepherds with “…on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests”(Lk.2:14). And he told his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you…”(Jn. 14:27).
An unreflective reading of the above may compel us to ask, “Why then will this Man of peace say it blatantly that, ‘Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword…’?”
Surely enough Christ came to bring peace between the believer and God and peace among humans. However, inevitably the result of his coming is conflict. As it is said, “if you crave for peace, prepare for war.”
Christ’s presence brings to limelight the conflict between the perennial dualism in scriptures. Good and evil, light and darkness, Christ and the antichrist, children of God and children of the devil, and God and the devil. Between these polarities conflict is inevitable. It can even degenerate to the point where it occurs between members of the same family forthesakeoffollowingChrist.
To be on the side of Christ therefore is possible only when you take your cross and follow him. Otherwise, “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” This total sacrificial commitment cannot be gainsaid as it is cited by all four gospels and more than once in two of the gospels.
Following Christ requires “self-denial, complete dedication and willing obedience.”
My friend, are you a follower, a friend or a disciple of Christ?
Prayer: Holy Spirit renew in me the spirit of self-denial, complete dedication and willing obedience as I follow Christ. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.