Take Up My Cross
It’s Holy Week. A week of symbolism and remembrance of all that the Lord, Jesus Christ, has done for us. Jesus carried a cross. We too may be called to Take Up My Cross.
On March 31, during Lent and a couple days before Holy Week, our family was asked to take up a cross, in an extremely difficult and personal way. My niece, Morgan, died in childbirth at the age of 32.
Why, Lord?
We may never know the answer to “why”. Morgan left behind a husband and two precious little boys, Riley age 2 and a newborn, Bennett.
The pain and grief are beyond words.
The Symbolism of the Cross
But during this Holy Week, I am drawn to the reality of what it means to carry Jesus’ cross. The burden is so heavy. The pain staggering. The numbness paralyzing.
Jesus was 33 years old when He died. Morgan was similar in age.
I better understand the horror, the suffering, the questioning that lingers in the hearts of grieving family and friends.
Jesus asked that his cup be removed from him. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42
Death.
But then resurrection.
There is hope. There is heaven, our eternal home.
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, Ephesians, 2:6.
Thank you, Jesus, that death is not the end game. There is hope beyond the grave because You live! We yearn for Heaven.
In the meantime, give us strength as we learn to carry the cross of suffering. We cry out to you, our Jesus, with groanings too deep for words. In Your Precious Name. Amen.
Questions to Consider:
- What cross has Jesus asked you to bear?
- Express out loud words of hope that you cling to.
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