"If any want to become my followers,
let them deny themselves and take up their cross
and follow me." - - Jesus Christ
Have you ever noticed that a lot of religious leaders wear a cross, on a chain, around their neck.
I have recently noticed that in pictures in the paper of these religious leaders, and meeting them in person, that most have taken the cross end of the necklace and put in a shirt pocket.
Now, I am assuming those are crosses in their pocket, but, alas, I never get to see them. They are always hidden from view. Maybe they just take them out for special occasions. First you see it and then you do not.
I am not sure that Jesus meant for us to hide our cross - in our pocket - or anywhere else.
Any replication of the cross on which Jesus died should be a proud witness of our faith.
We are called to be bold and faithful witnesses to our faith. We cannot take our "candle of faith" and hide it away.
A friend recently told me that he and his wife were walking across a parking lot and he was singing to himself - - "When the roll is called up yonder." A man was walking toward them. He stopped and told him that he heard him singing about his faith and said - - "Praise the Lord!".
Somehow we should feel compelled to share our faith - - tell our faith story - - sing our songs of faith. We simply cannot put our faith in our pocket and hide it away.
Jesus said: "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."
"Life High the Cross, the Love of God Proclaim till all the World Adore His Sacred Name"
Wear your cross proudly and boldly - - never hide it!
A Jim Lane Commentary
February 6, 2005 |
508 Brent Drive 
