Picking Up Crosses

Bucking popular viewpoints got our savior killed. He did not reinforce the opinions of political and religious heads of his day, nor did he confirm the expectations of the general public. He needed to withstand the misunderstandings and consequent bullying of the masses, or they would have had no reason to depart the ill-fated ramifications of their erroneous opinions.

As a growing concern in the modern world, we face this same age-old dynamic that tries to press religion into a foreign role. It wants Christianity to reinforce human culture instead of standing in prophetic relationship to it, critiquing it in terms of divine intentions. We face this opposition even from those who consider themselves part of the body of Christ.

These simple reminders of a broken body and of shed blood call us to recognize the connection between Christ’s role as opponent of culture and our role who take up our crosses, if need be, and follow him (Matthew 16:24). As the well-known hymn declares, “Where he leads me, I will follow” (by John S. Norris). That is what receiving these emblems means we are doing.