standing with Jesus
What is Jesus standing for today?
Mark 8:34
He called the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
For Jesus and his original audience, to “take up your cross” was not a dramatic way of saying one should be generally selfless and self-sacrificing. It was a real-life consequence: crucifixion was a public and gruesome punishment of people that the Roman Empire accused primarily of resistance and subversion.
Following Jesus did not just mean it might cost you conveniences, but it could cost you your livelihood, community, or life—not because persecution was the goal, but because the Way of Jesus was faithful and bold enough to stand against the evils of both Empire as well as corrupt religion that burdened and dehumanized the poor and vulnerable.
What is Jesus standing for today? How can you stand with Jesus for what is true, just, compassionate, and dignifying in your community?