FOLLOWING JESUS

I have been thinking lately about this powerful statement by our Lord after the great confession in all three of the Synoptic Gospels (Mt 16, Mark 8, Luke 9). By the way, that confession was made in an era of Roman rule and paganism, not very different from our context.

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus Christ?

(We all want to be like Peter, following a Messiah without a cross.) But taking up a cross and following Jesus must mean a different agenda for our lives. I want to discover constantly what that means to me.

First, it means to center our lives with the Church in worship of the God revealed by Jesus. He is not only the Creator, but also the one who entered into human history, bore our sins on the cross, conquered death in the resurrection, inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth, and called us to become His sons and daughters by faith.

In worship we discover our identity, our direction for life, and power for service.

Secondly, it means to seek a lifelong process of transformation (Rom. 12:2) empowered by the Holy Spirit--transformation in the way we see others of every race, culture, and ethnicity, as created in the image of God.

Transformation in response is the way we use whatever gifts we have been given, seeking to transform our society by working for justice and equity in political, social, and economic life, as a manifestation of the Kingdom, following the Old Testament prophets (e.g. Amos. Micah).

Thirdly, it means that we participate in the ultimate mission of the Church, that the "panta ta ethne" (all ethnic groups) shall come to faith and obedience. Matt. 28:18-20, Romans 16:25-26).

While we are greatly blessed in this life, our ultimate hope is beyond the grave where we shall see Him face to face and enter into a life infinitely greater than we can imagine.

— Paul Pierson