Say what??? by Phil

I don’t know if it’s because I’m a creative person, a song writer, or just plain weird, but I don’t like to take things at face value. I’m always looking for the deeper meaning, the subtle clue that reveals the author’s intention behind the obvious statement. One way I do this is when it comes to Bible passages, I imagine myself hearing it for the first time in the time and place the scripture originally occurred. This is especially effective for passages that have become overly familiar. For example, let’s journey back to Jesus’ talk in Matthew 10.

In this scripture passage, Jesus says something very strange. - "And whoever doesn’t take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." - Matthew 10:38. Looking back from our perspective this makes sense, but when Jesus said it, He hadn't been crucified yet. And why would anyone even consider that He might? Crucifixion was capital punishment primarily reserved for slaves, foreigners, and those deemed enemies of the state, often for crimes like treason, rebellion, or murder - not for roaming country preachers. Even if Rome considered Jesus' ministry to be a threat, there were much less severe forms of punishment.

Today the image of the cross has become very common and acceptable. We decorate our walls and clothes with it, and wear it as jewelry. That would have shocked people in Jesus’ time. It would be like us wearing an electric chair necklace or putting a lethal injection bumper sticker on our car. The cross was a common sight for people in Jesus' time as well, but not the sanitized, polished version we picture. It was a rough, ragged, and bloody torture device, something straight out of the worst nightmare. For Jesus to use that as a symbol for discipleship must have been both shocking and confusing for the original audience.

I think Jesus may have been using the shock factor to emphasize the seriousness of acknowledging Him in public. Let's do a little self examination. Do our friends and co-workers know we are followers of Jesus? When our group is talking about or wanting to do something we know goes against Jesus' teaching, do we stand up and share our view, or just quietly watch? If being a Christian was punishable by death as it still is in some parts of the world today, would we boldly proclaim our faith? If a soldier held a gun to your head and threatened to pull the trigger unless you denied Jesus, what would you do? In those scenarios, publicly following Jesus and the cost of discipleship get very real.

I pray that if that time of decision ever came for me, I would boldly sing one of my favorite gospel songs...
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I am not ashamed of the gospel, the gospel of Jesus Christ
No, I am not afraid to be counted and I’m willing to give my life
See, I’m ready to be all He wants me to be
Give up the wrong for the right
No, I am not ashamed of the gospel
No, I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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What about you?

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Still standing for Jesus
Phil and Pam

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