Reference

Matthew 16:24-28, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Shaped by the Cross

Each day, we make a choice – will we listen to Jesus' call to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him? Will we live a life shaped by the cross, a life modeled on Jesus' own life – and on the cross he bore? Jesus is not asking any more of us than he asked of himself. He is not standing off to the side cheering on our self-denial and suffering. He is leading the way. We know how to live cross-shaped lives because of the example of Jesus.

The reality is that the cross is foolishness – and so is living a life shaped by that cross – unless we see it in the light of the resurrection. The cross became the symbol of the church not because it was the end of Jesus' life – but because it was the end of the power of sin and death. When we are truly following in Jesus way, even when our cross is heavy, we can see glimmers of the resurrection promise that lies ahead.