Reflection for Lent II
By Rev’d. Allison Dean
What does it mean to follow Jesus?
This is the question that Christians, disciples/followers of Jesus, must constantly ask ourselves. But no matter how often we ask it, the answer still surprises us, still shocks us, maybe even disheartens us. For Jesus said, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34).
Denial is almost a dirty word in our society. Why should we deny ourselves anything when we work so hard for the life we want? Parents spoil and overindulge their children by giving them everything they ask for, denying them nothing, even if they have to go into debt to get it. And as for taking up our cross? Why would we want to do that? The cross is a symbol of death; it will bring pain and suffering.
We go to church, we put in our tithes and offerings, we read our bibles, we say our prayers, we help those in need. Isn’t that enough?
Of course, these are all wonderful things. Indeed, they are characteristic of the lives of the faithful. But are they actually enough? By themselves, do they accomplish anything?
In Mark 10 we read of the man who asks Jesus what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus’ first response was that he needed to keep the commandments: those against murder, adultery, stealing, and so on. That’s no problem for the man; he has done all those things since he was young. Then Jesus tells him he lacks one thing and calls him to sell everything he has, to leave everything behind, and follow. After these second set of instructions the man goes away sad because he had great wealth (i.e., in that moment he was not willing to go so far as give up everything for Jesus).
It is easy to follow someone, or something, when they (or it) requires very little of us. Just as it is easy to click “follow” on Instagram or “Add Friend” on Facebook. But imagine if we had to communicate regularly with everyone we wanted to add on social media. Imagine if we had to take time to understand them rather than just liking their pictures and scrolling on. We’d have far fewer online connections because we’d think it was too much work and simply not worth the effort.
As for the man who approached Jesus, so it is for all of us. It is precisely at the point where we have to “count the cost” that we find the limits of our willingness to follow. And yet, every time we come to the Holy Eucharist, we are reminded that Jesus took up his cross for us, for all people, for all of creation. As we journey to cross and resurrection this Lent we are constantly reminded that Jesus denied himself – gave up his heavenly place, chose not to save himself from suffering and shame – that there might be life in.
We are called to follow his example of self-denial and complete surrender to the will, the plans, and the purposes of God.
What is stopping us from making Jesus our number one priority? Are we afraid to let go of some people, places, things, habits, desires, or anything else that in our lives? Are we unsure who we are without them or where we will end up if have no plan and no backup?
As we pray for the strength to commit ourselves wholly and completely to God in Christ, let the words of that wonderful hymn by Charles Everest remind us that God is faithful and will keep and preserve us, no matter what:
Take up thy cross! Let not its weight
fill thy weak spirit with alarm:
his strength shall bear thy spirit up,
and brace thy heart, and nerve thine arm.