Dear Family at Christ Community,

In my most honest moments, I functionally confess a version of Christ that serves to make my life better according to what I think best (or easiest or most comfortable or…). This may be true for many of you as well (though this isn’t misery looking for company). Mark 8:34-9:1 calls us to a very different way that’s not often easy or comfortable: the way of the cross.

James R. Edwards writes of the way of the cross in The Gospel According to Mark:

“When believers confess who Jesus is, they also and inevitably confess what they must become.…The Son of Man calls those who would know him to follow him.”

According to Edwards and Mark when we confess that Jesus alone is the Christ, we confess not only a Savior but also a new way of life! We’re being conformed to Jesus’s image as opposed to Him serving to transform our circumstances and fortunes according to our whims. To follow Jesus proves not just directional but formational. We repent and bear fruits in keeping with repentance, because Jesus has forgiven us and filled us with the Holy Spirit to be able to wisely do so. We forgive others in love, because Jesus has first loved and forgiven us. We suffer reproach, ridicule, and even bodily harm from the world for seeking to display God’s righteous character according to Exodus 34:6-7, because Jesus suffered for doing the same. We celebrate in joy the resurrected fruit born from following Jesus in the way of the cross, because He celebrated in joy our redemption despite the shame of the cross (cf. Hebrews 12:1-2). Each of these things serve to form us into Christ’s image as we travel the way of the cross.

In God’s providential kindness, we will celebrate communion this Sunday as we’re challenged to follow Jesus in the way of the cross. The broken bread and lavish cup serve to nourish and equip us in this narrow way. What they signify and seal help provide for and protect us on this journey with Jesus. Please remember that your life is eternally secure with Christ and that He is interceding for you and directing the Holy Spirit to guide you in the way of the cross. Please come hopeful for how the Lord will nourish you in following Jesus!

In Christ,
Cameron