The Lenten Journey Day 12

J. Heinrich Arnold’s essay on “The Center” adds a needed dimension to the discussion of self-denial and following the cross of Christ. The cross is the necessary sacrifice says Arnold, and in it's ugliness the complete love of Chris is displayed. It is that complete love that must be replicated in and through His disciples. Arnold says this, “ The experience of personal purification at the cross is vital, yet to remain focused on that alone would be useless. Christ’s love is so great , it must lift our minds above our little struggles-and any preoccupation with our own salvation- so that we can see the needs of others, and beyond that the greatness of God and his Creation.”

It was, after all, the needs of others, of all of humanity that were met on the cross. Yes He was obedient to the Divine mission. But the mission was the redemption of fallen humanity, forgiveness is our greatest need. Arnold adds that forgiveness comes as a result of the cross but that the cross also allows that beyond forgiven we be changed. Changed for what? Changed to live in intimacy with God, yes. Also changed to change the world around us. The cross carries us beyond ourselves to completely loving those around us.

The Lenten Journey Day 11

The reading for today is written by Soren Kierkeggard and is a sharp distinction between followers of Christ and admirers. The following sums up Kierkeggard’s distinction, “ A follower is or strives to be what he admires. An admirer, however, keeps himself personally detached.”

The context of the essay seems at first to be a call of encouragement to those living under the prohibition of publicly confessing Christ. Kierkegarrd then pivots to those living in free countries and identifies the same temptation of merely appreciating Christ’s teaching and example without adhering to them. “Forget about the danger with confessing Christ and think rather of the real danger which is inescapably bound up within being a Christian.”

The one issue I would take with this writing is that Nicodemus is paired with Judas in giving Biblical examples of admirers. I would argue that the account of Nicodemus showing up at Christ’s burial is at least enough to at least consider that he may have became a follower. Nonetheless, this detail should not distract from the challenge.

What a question! Do I admire Christ only or do I follow Him? There is really no cost to admiration, no need for self denial. Following is what incurs the ups and downs of sacrifice amid keeping Christ as the goal and motivation.

The Lenten Journey Day 10

Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes directly about the core of discipleship found in the cross. He continues the theme of the other writers we have looked at this week with the focus on suffering as and with Christ. But he also plainly defines the door that needs to open for us to truly follow Christ in this way, the door to self denial. Here is Bonheffer’s description of what self-denial really is,

“Self-denial means knowing only Christ, and no longer oneself. It means seeing only Christ, who goes ahead of us, and no longer that the path is too difficult for us. Again, self denial is saying only, He goes ahead of us, hold fast to Him.”

Even in this plain definition is an apparent contradiction that needs to be unpacked. In order to know Christ and deny ourselves we must be able to see the areas in our lives that do not know Christ. I would argue that in a sense we have to know ourselves. To know our tendencies, to know our personality, and to know what in us is or is not reflecting Christ. This shapes Bonhoeffer’s quote by understanding that denying ourselves, knowing Christ can also include understanding ourselves. Following Christ alone, means seeing EVERYTHING through His lens, His perspective. We are putting on Christ. When we do this we see the sin and selfishness in us, but also the possibility of redemption in Christ. When we see Christ and we see ourselves, then we choose Christ, that is when the self-denial comes. That is when “the things of Earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace” Denial of ourselves is the dimming of ourselves in light of Christ.

The Lenten Journey Day 9

Today’s essay by Thomas Merton builds on the thoughts of seeking Christ beyond suffering. Merton points out that seeking suffering just for suffering’s sake is dangerously self-centered. This is simple but so vitally important to avoiding the pitfalls of Lent in particular and Discipleship in general. The goal of living purposefully and passionately in Christ, is knowing Christ. This passage by Merton says it very well,

“To know the cross is to know that we are saved by the sufferings of Christ; more, it is to know the love of Christ who underwent suffering and death in order to save us. It is, then, to know Christ. For to know his love is not merely to know the story of his love, but to experience in our spirit that we are loved by him, and that in his love the Father manifests his own love for us, through his Spirit poured forth into our hearts…”

Christ is the embodiment of the Kingdom and He calls His follower to seek the kingdom first. Lent and discipleship are about seeking Christ.

The Lenten Journey Day 8

“Many will follow him as far as the breaking of bread, but few will remain to drink from his passion. Many are awed by his miracles, few accept the shame of His cross." Thomas a’ Kempis

a’ Kempis’ essay is entitled the “Royal Road” and he centers in on the necessity of the cross in our development of Christ likeness. I ask myself if choosing the cross means choosing shame. I finally landed on the promise that we are saved to live in Christ and for Christ. What we have to recognize is that shame and suffering may certainly be a part of that. What is incredible is that finding ourselves in Christ is worth it. Our salvation and God’s mission was worth it to him and whatever struggle we may have is worth knowing him fully. I think.