Rev. Valarie Englert, Senior Pastor
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
– Matthew 16:24
My message this past Sunday – “More Than Just a Checklist” – was a capstone to our recently-completed worship series on the “3 Simple Rules” of the Methodist movement.
The text – Matthew 16:21-26 – shared how Jesus prepared his disciples for his suffering, crucifixion and raising from the dead.
How these things were necessary.
And how they, too, would need to “take up their cross” and follow him.
To lose their lives for his sake in order to find them.
In spite of a deadly pandemic, racial strife and polarized politics, we live privileged lives in comparison to most.
Especially those of us who are white.
So today, I ask all of us to consider:
How am I taking up my cross this week?
What privilege am I prepared to lose to gain life in Christ?
What am I nailing to my cross?
What have I got to lose?
First Reflections 