A Padded Cross

      “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Strong words—have we thought about what they mean? We will over the next few weeks.

      As we begin our look at sacrificing ourselves and taking up our crosses, I want to share with you a story in Brent Hunter’s workbook Personal Work 101. I do not know from where he got the story. It is called “The Padded Cross (The Musings of a Would-Be Disciple).”
 

      “Well, here I am, Lord. You said, ‘Take up your cross’, and I’m here to do it. It’s not easy, you know, this self-denial thing. I mean to go through with it though, yes sir. I’ll bet you wish more people were willing to be disciples like me. I’ve counted the cost and surrendered my life, and … well…

      “You mind if I look over these crosses? I’d kind of like a new one. I’m not fussy, you understand, but a disciple has to be relevant these days. I was wondering, are there any that are vinyl padded? I really want to attract others you see, and if I could show them a more comfortable cross, I’m sure I could win a lot more. Got to keep up with the population explosion and all. Oh, and do you have one that’s sort of flat so it will fit under my coat? We shouldn’t be too obvious.

      “Funny, there doesn’t seem to be much choice here—just that coarse, rough wood. I mean, that could hurt! Don’t you have something more distinctive, Lord? I can tell you right now, none of my friends are going to be impressed by this shoddy workmanship! They’ll think I’m a nut or something! And my family will just be mortified!

      “What’s that? It’s either one of these or forget the whole thing? But Lord, I want to be your disciple! I mean, just being with you…that’s what counts. But, life has to have a balance, too…but you don’t understand…nobody lives that way today!

      “Who’s going to be attracted by this self-denial bid? I mean, I want to, but let’s not overdo it! Start getting fanatical like this and they’ll take me to the funny farm…know what I mean?

      “I mean, being a disciple is challenging and exciting and all, and I want to do it…but I do have rights don’t I? Now, let’s see. No blood, o.k.? I just can’t stand the thought of that, Lord…

      “Lord? Now where do you suppose He went?”
 

      Not many are willing to really take up the cross. It certainly is a challenge to deny self and follow Christ. But that is our calling. May we all do better than this would-be disciple.

Edwin L. Crozier