A Note From Rob ...
Week of March 8
I heard a story but can not determine if it is accurate or not. However, it seems reasonable to assume it is
true. What do you think?
A few years ago, a large department store tried marketing a doll in the form of the baby Jesus. The
advertisements described it as being "washable, cuddly, and unbreakable," and it was neatly packaged in straw,
satin, and plastic. To complete the package, the manufacturer added biblical text appropriate to the baby Jesus. To
the department store executives, it looked like a sure-fire winner, a real moneymaker. But they were wrong. It
didn't sell. In a last-ditch effort to get rid of these dolls, one of the store managers placed a huge sign in one of the
store windows. It read:
Jesus Christ ~~ Marked down 50% ~~ Get him while you can!
In the same train of thought, I saw a cartoon advertising “Church Lite”. It contained only 8
commandments and the person could choose which 8. A tithe was only 5%. 45 minute worship services once a
month… You get the picture.
Compare and contrast those images to our Gospel lesson this week (Mark 8:31-38). Jesus calls his
followers to self-denial and cross taking. No 50% off Jesus. No Lite commitments. Jesus seems to take following
him seriously. He tells us that in denying ourselves we find ourselves, our true selves. Jesus comes to save us
from ourselves, a preoccupation with our lives in order to find ourselves in his life.
The journey to Easter and eternal, abundant and new life goes through the cross. That choice of sacrifice
by Jesus led him to the victory of Easter. The victory came after the self-giving act. In the same manner, we are
called to acts of self-giving and self-sacrifice in order to find the joy of new life in Christ.
We are asked not how little we are required to take on for Christ but how much we are gifted and called to
do for Him.
I hope to see you Sunday. In the center of our worship will be a cross and an opportunity.
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