In the Shadow of the Cross - Sunday February 17, 2013
And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. Luke 9:23
Usually when we hear that someone is living in the shadow of another person it is not a good thing. It suggests that this person is living off another's convictions and doesn't have a mind of his own. However, in the Christian life, this is a good thing if we are living in the shadow of the Cross. The Cross defines our life.
If we are truly disciples of Jesus Christ then we follow in His footsteps. We let Him define our convictions. We live for His purpose. This is what Jesus meant in today's verse.
Jesus, our master, took up His cross, denied Himself and followed the Father's will completely. He was not here to do His own thing. He was here to serve and to give His life. You and I are called to live in this shadow.
The cross redefines leadership. Instead of being a position of lording it over others, leadership is demonstrated through servanthood and humility.
The cross redefines our values. Instead of being careless with sin, we take sin seriously. Instead of devaluing the marriage commitment, we esteem and honor the vows of marriage as lifelong promises. Instead of living to get rich, we are rich by living generously. Instead of seeking our own personal ambition we seek the Kingdom of God.
The cross makes the difference in our lives. It defines what is valuable and important. It is where life really begins. Are you living in the shadow of the cross?
Submitted by:
Doug Brown
Lee's Summit Community Church
Lee's Summit, Missouri
One-Year Reading Plan:
Leviticus 4:1-5:19
Mark 2:13-3:6
Psalms 36:1-12
Proverbs 10:1-2
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SCRIPTURE REFERENCB-ES: Unless otherwise identified, Scripture quotations are from the New American Standard Bible B) The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are from the Holy, Bible, New International Version, copyright B) 1973, 1978, 1984 by InternaB-tional Bible Society; (NKJV) are from New King James Version B) 1982 by Thomas Nelson; (NLT) are from the New Living Translation, B) 1996, Tyndale House Publishers; (ESV) are from English Standard VersionB., B) 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers; (TM) are from The Message B) 1993 by NavPress Publishers.