Christian fun–is that a contradiction in terms? This Gospel story does seem to carry that implication, what with Jesus calling on his followers to “take up their cross and follow me.” Whatever that means, fun doesn’t seem to be part of it.
It does seem that Christians have embraced this call to suffering all too eagerly. Christians have a far easier time saying no than yes–just think of all the things forbidden by the churches, then and now. What are Christians in favor of? The average bystander would have a hard time answering. We Christians of a more liberal theology might not be so eager to forbid, but we are no better at affirming. What do we believe? Again, it’s easier to say what we don’t. The understanding, liberal or conservative, seems to be that if we take up our cross, it’s not going to be a walk in the park. So we pick up burdens and put down enjoyments, not because it’s fun, but because that’s what Jesus wants, so it seems.
But that’s ok, because it’s all worth it in the end. We might not be having a good time now, but when our suffering gains us eternal life–we’ll know we made the right choice. Buying salvation through our sacrifice–now the mistake is more obvious. We’re rewriting the Gospel, and it’s not ending up as Good News. That’s because we’ve only embraced half the message. In calling on us to take up the cross, Jesus first invites us to lose our lives, which is a lot more fun than it seems.
Without letting go of life as we have defined it, following Jesus is an impossible burden. Life as we know it requires that we compete. We know what we deserve–rest, respect, attention, a break–and we demand to get it. So we must, because nothing in this life comes without a struggle, right? So we prove our worthiness and demand our rights–attention will be paid because we deserve it! In this struggle, the cross becomes just another tool for getting what we want. Martyrdom might be passive, but the message is the same–look at me!
Giving up on life’s demands is exactly what Jesus does. Instead of confronting the leaders in Jerusalem with his claim to power and authority (the tactic Peter expects him to use), Jesus surrenders–no demands for his rights, ,no proof of his worthiness. The authorities make accusations. Jesus is silent. The rulers demand proof. Jesus does nothing. Instead, Jesus surrenders his life to these powers of death, knowing that God’s purpose of life will triumph. No convincing, no proof is necessary–the victory has been determined. Jesus will win because all the powers of death cannot overwhelm God’s messenger of life. Trusting in God, Jesus wins.
This same victory is ours–when we give up on proving we deserve it. We don’t. We receive it simply because God’s love has made it so. Created out of love, sustained and empowered out of love, we give up on life as we have planned it in order to accept life as we were created to live it, as God’s people.
This doesn’t mean that the way of the cross requires nothing from us. Sometimes it looks very much like sacrifice, even martyrdom. We sacrifice self-interest in the name of love and give up on the easy route in the name of commitment. We live lives of courage, purpose and commitment because this is who we are as God’s people.
How do you tell when you are picking up the right cross? There is always one sign–life. No need to prove yourself because the guilt and insecurities were left behind in the old life. No need for coping with denial or defensiveness either–we know where we belong. In picking up the burdens of responsibility and caring we become whole. We walk in peace with our choices because we know who we are and whose.