February 26 Devotion

Luke 9: 23-26

Take Up Your Cross
During this season of Lent, I encourage you to reflect/meditate about the meaning of Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross. You might need a focus point and I found that a carpenter’s nail would work for me. See, this nail, represents the nails driven through Jesus’ hands and feet on the cross, drew blood, inflicted pain and suffering. Carrying a nail around can be an inconvenience, get in the way, but also a good reminder to think about Lent. A nail is an awkward thing to carry around and to confront… just so is a cross! Awkward as it was Jesus carried his Cross for us. And awkward as it is, he calls us to carry our cross for him.

Suppose that instead of a nail you had been asked to carry a cross during Lent – not a miniature model, but the real thing??

“Take up thy cross”, the Savior said, “if thou wouldst my disciple be;
Deny thyself, the world forsake, and humbly follow after me.”
Take up thy cross, let not its weight fill thy weak spirit with alarm;
His strength shall bear thy spirit up, and brace thy heart and nerve thine arm.
Take up thy cross, nor heed the shame, nor let thy foolish pride rebel;
thy Lord for thee the cross endured, to save thy soul from death and hell.
Take up thy cross and follow Christ, nor think till death to lay it down;
For only those who bear the cross may hope to wear the glorious crown.

Words by Charles Everest

Amy Inghram