A Reflection for Lent, GBHEM Lenten series

April 7, 2025 | By Mara Bailey

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross, and follow me. ²⁵ All who want to save their lives will lose them. But all who lose their lives because of me will find them. ²⁶ Why would people gain the whole world but lose their lives? What will people give in exchange for their lives?”

Matthew 16:24-26 (CEB) 

There are several conversations recorded in the gospels in which the disciples get schooled on the true meaning of discipleship, and this is certainly one of them. For 1st century Jews who understood messianic prophesy, this is paired with a realignment of the type of messiah Jesus would ultimately become: a messiah whose power comes from humility, forgiveness and community restoration rather than power-hungry, rich and domineering tactics. Did some of the disciples choose to follow Jesus initially because they thought it might bring them fame and wealth? That’s hard to know for sure (though we do know that on the road to the cross, they’d abandon him, and it took some convincing to bring them back into the fold).

Photo by Albin Hillert

I recently attended the funeral service of a longtime faculty member of our college. Remarks were rich with the clear impact he made not just on his students, but on his fellow faculty who became lifelong friends. One of those persons remarked that his life and friendship with Dr. Duncan felt akin to Jesus’ reminder to the disciples at the Last Supper: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) The reflection given by this dear friend remarked that while Dr. Duncan’s life reflected this commandment, these words of Jesus also elevated the notion of friendship to the sacred.

Jesus knew the cost of this discipleship and even predicted (to great disbelief) that Peter himself wouldn’t see the journey through. Taking up a cross – choosing to follow Jesus – is a daily decision to walk in the way that leads to life. Romans 12:9-21 might be a good guide for these virtues! This sacrifice of discipleship – sacred friendship – is the presence of the cross as a symbol of sacrifice in our lives. In our relationships as well as in our decision to live as a disciple (follower) of Jesus Christ, we have a decision to make. And that decision comes down to intention. I find this to be understood best with Wesley’s Covenant Prayer — here, I’m sharing a version that has been updated by the Rev. Jeremy Smith (originally posted on HackingChristianity.net by Rev. Jeremy Smith (@umjeremy):

I am not my own self-made, self-reliant human being.
In truth, O God, I am Yours.
Make me into what You will.
Make me a neighbor with those whom You will.
Guide me on the easy path for You.
Guide me on the rocky road for You.
Whether I am to step up for You or step aside for You;
Whether I am to be lifted high for You or brought low for You;
Whether I become full or empty, with all things or with nothing;
I give all that I have and all that I am for You.
So be it.
And may I always remember that you, O God, and I belong to each other. Amen.

Prayer

God of the journey, For the wonder of sacred friendship and the perspective of following you, we give you thanks. For the times when we aren’t sure if we are ready to fully commit, give us the courage to seek You first and in all things. For continued sustenance on this Lenten journey, we ask for clarity to fully embrace the call of discipleship as we move closer to Easter morning, ready to proclaim your love and grace to the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.