Verse 38
I've recently become troubled by a series of verses in Matthew 10. Verses 34-39, with special attention to verse 38, "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me." A phrase frequently used by christians, although at the moment I can't think as to what those christians (or myself) were even alluding to as we discussed taking up our cross while living in wealthiest 1% of the entire world.
What does this verse really mean? Follow Jesus to our own death? I've heard it said that way before. Not that we would seek death, but that we'd be willing to die for Christ. Well, that's easy to say when most of us are fairly confident that we are never going to put ourselves into a position to have that be an actual option. So is this only a verse to those christians in religiously, war-torn countries? It doesn't seem to be. Or is it the 'follow me' part that is the taking up of our cross? The death of the life that we naturally seek? Of up-grading our houses with the market trends so that we can take advantage of interest rates...of not moving away from family, because, why would we? ... Of living a life with our christian friends because that's who we relate to?
In what way does Jesus expect us to follow him? Morally only...or could there be more?
6 Comments:
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6:21 AM
Whatever it means, it doesn't mean to do it on my birthday - the day you posted. So does that help at least some, just not on birthdays?
Seems to me Matthew is quoting (collecting?) a series of statements by Jesus on the severity of following His way, His teaching, His picture of how "it's all supposed to go."
The other times Jesus is quoted on this phrase (Matt. 16, Mark 8, Luke 9) it is preceded by "deny self." Perhaps the gist of it is that Jesus is trying to make sure that He is not the only one who brings the Kingdom (i.e. as the Messiah-King) but that the subjects of the King also bring the Kingdom.
[I know that I just pulled in another of Jesus' metaphors and perhaps that's unfair right now. I was concerned my comment was going to be longer than the post ;-) I'm using 'Kingdom' here as a representation of the ENTIRE workings of God among people - my work, His work, providence, etc.]
I can't see how taking up the cross can mean death, though. That just doesn't make any sense to me in that passage - too much lifestyle stuff for me to think Jesus would suddenly switch to a single, final action and then back to lifestyle (going from ongoing to point-action then back to ongoing).
As to your last two sentences, I think you might be able to stay just moral (so long as moral includes my money, my time, my relationships). Not many of them were able to change homes, careers, dating (sic), etc. back then - it probably wouldn't make much sense if Jesus talked about the kinds of things we (the wealthy) wonder about (should I go Disney or Carnival?).
Just for the record: I have only given my thoughts. I assume this is a dialogue not just a one-question, one-answer thing. Push-back, clarification, public flogging, etc. are expected and desired.
Wondering thoughts from the husband of the Perigrinatio
6:23 AM
Definitely a public flogging is in order. But we'll save that for when you visit.
I definitely think it's a message for the citizens of the kingdom to bring the kingdom as well. And that it is about self-denial. I guess I'm wondering to what extent self-denial? I feel like it's always been on a purely moral basis..."moral" playing itself out in the American church as our thought lives and sexual actions. But you can work on those and still look nearly identical to someone who is not bringing the kingdom.
I guess it begs the question that is merely having self-denial on a "moral" level really bringing the kingdom? It seemed that for the disciples, bringing the kingdom meant leaving their homes and lives as they were living and seeking to "bring" the kingdom to others in an active way.
I definitely appreciate what you said about the early church not being able to switch careers, move, etc. Good point.
Here's the thing. If we're looking at how the original audience would take this passage, I would assume that the cross most definitely would bring about images of death. Again, not that Jesus was having death as a goal, but that his followers would "lose their lives to find them." What would it look like, then, to lose your lives for his sake and how would that look today?
Does that mean that you don't move where you have a job, but that you move where you can really reach the world and find a job while you're there?
I guess I just changed the question altogether.
5:57 PM
Mmm. Maybe flogging instead of Cross, just to be a little more current (ha).
I'm curious why you brought up "moving." Is that an example of expanding the idea of "moral" to be beyond sex and thinking about sex?
Perhaps you've stumbled upon another gender issue. Too many men (i.e. those with the pulpit) have spun the word "moral" to be solely what they struggle with: inappropriate sexual activity (mental or expressed).
Can this be simplified with the "follow Me" phrase? That's why I was poking at the "move" thing. What if Jesus wants me to follow Him right where I am? I spin it this way because that's where I am in my life/evolution. That is, I'm not being "objective" about this, although I may be dead-on in spite of my subjectivity (that sentence is riddled with satire).
That doesn't make it easier to live out, maybe just a touch easier to understand where to look?
8:12 AM
I'm totally confused. Maybe a new thread is in order. :)
Can I be so bold as to ask you if you have a particular understanding of what it means to follow Jesus, "right were you are?"
6:49 PM
I'm assuming that the phrase "a particular understanding" means do I have an opinion - which you should know the answer to ;-)
Yes, it means listening and waiting. Listening to the Spirit as He speaks through my soul/heart/mind, my community, and my Scripture. Then do whatever it is He says (or stop, etc.).
To me, the uniqueness of the New Era (post Christ's ascension) is that we have the Spirit inside of us. We don't need to live as if the Law is our guide to actions because the Spirit does (cf. Jeremiah and Ezek. where they heart of stone is replaced with a heart of flesh and this parallels the Spirit coming "inside" people). Not only does He teach, guide, direct, convict, etc. as to the Law of God or the Law of Grace (of any other use of Law of ____ that the NT likes), He can actually do some of what the prophets did - work the whole group! The Spirit's unity + activity = group movement. For example, allowing Gentiles into "the People of God." Or the (proto)deacons in early Acts.
Short Version: the Spirit can tell me or even tell "us" (me and my community) what He wants specifically and will always lead us morally (in the way-broader use of "moral"!!).
Does that make this thread worse or better?
5:31 PM
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