Introduction

This article is the October 2009 installment of my monthly message in the parish newsletter for Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb.

At the Crossroads

Several times in September, we heard in the Gospel readings from Mark how Jesus taught his disciples that he would suffer, be killed, and then be raised from the dead. And then we stood with the crowd he gathered together as he said,

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.” (Mark 8:34-35)

This is a wonderful—and difficult!—saying. Its power comes in the purity of its vision. When we hear Jesus tell us that this is what it means for us to follow him, then we know what is at stake. We can see how his obedience to the will of his Father led directly to his suffering, death, and resurrection.

And we hear him tell us that our lot is the same. When we follow him, we can expect that our path will lead to suffering, and that we may die. This is what faithful obedience to the will of our Father may mean for us.

It’s natural to want to avoid pain and suffering. But discipleship is not a matter of our nature. Remember that we say in our Confession,

“Most merciful God, we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves.” (LBW, p. 77)

Part of our bondage is that we would not choose, on our own, to shoulder our crosses and to follow Christ to our deaths. But because we are forgiven sinners, blessed with faith, we are able to act in faithful obedience to God. This means that we can, with the Spirit’s help, follow Christ along the path our Father points out to us.

With a Mission

Walking with our shouldered crosses is just another way to envision the mission on which God sends us. As we turn the pages of our calendar from September to October, we turn the spotlight of our parish’s life from education to mission.

This month, as you hold your times of devotion, read the Scriptures, say your prayers, gather for worship, serve people in need, and carry out your calling as a Christian, keep in mind that we have a mission to follow Christ and ask, as you live each day, how Christ leads you.

When we celebrate our Mission Festival on Sunday, Oct. 18, we will hear how God’s mission comes to life in several ministries that serve people across Nebraska and around the country. And then, when we gather on Sunday, Oct. 25, we will celebrate the Confirmation, the Affirmation of Baptism, of two members who will stand in our midst to say they are ready, with God’s help, to shoulder a greater responsibility for the mission of God’s people.

In Freedom

It might seem that obedience to God takes away our freedom. If we have shouldered our crosses and follow Christ, then there is so much we will set aside and abandon. But in truth, our great freedom comes in obedience. Because when we follow Christ, we live by the promise that death and its “no”—the final end of all of our plans—will not have the final word about us.

Nothing is more freeing, more liberating, than to know that our future lies with the One who can, with absolute certainty, keep his promises to us and who says “Yes” from beyond the grave.

Blessings,
Pastor David Frye