Cross Moments: Romans 12:9-21 - Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

⁹Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; ¹⁰love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. ¹²Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. ¹³Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
  ¹⁴Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. ¹⁷Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. ¹⁸If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ¹⁹Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” ²¹Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (NRSV)

Salem Lutheran Church, Houston, TX - Lutheran Disaster Response, Facebook

Amid the death and devastation brought on by Hurricane Harvey, something quite extraordinary was happening:

Strangers came to the aid of strangers. Thousands upon thousands of precious lives were saved, because ordinary people didn’t turn away when others were in danger.

One such group of rescuers calls themselves “the Cajun Navy.”  They formed twelve years ago in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina—and hadn’t forgotten the Texans who came to their aid.  So when Harvey made landfall, they fueled up their pickup trucks, hitched up their fishing boats, pontoons, and tractors, and made the trek from Louisiana, all the while knowing their homes would soon be in the crosshairs of the storm.  Not only did they rescue numerous people from the water, they also made tremendous strides connecting survivors to aid workers using social media. 

In reality, ordinary citizens proved to be great emergency responders—simply by doing the good nearest to them to do. 

As people of God, we know Jesus was there in the flooded houses and the crowded shelters.  Jesus was there in all the people who cared enough to help.  The cross assures us that Jesus is present in agony, the horror, and the hunger people suffer—particularly with the most vulnerable people.  But with so much danger and death already in this world, is the cross the answer we want from God?

The disciples, and Peter especially, did not welcome the news that Jesus was to “undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed.”  They were not thrilled when Jesus said, “if any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.”

The disciples had high hopes that Jesus was going to raise up an army that would drive out the Roman occupation of the Holy Land, reunite the twelve lost tribes of Israel, and take the throne of David over the most powerful kingdom on earth. 

When you are facing down a threat or are in desperate need; or when success and prosperity are in reach, a cross is the last thing you want.  What you’ll want is power and control to ensure that things go in your favor. 

When you’re down and out, how does it help you to bless people who wish you ill? 

Speaking personally, people scare me more than hurricanes—because people lie, cheat, steal, and kill.  People create poverty and slavery.  People wage wars and genocides.  People destroy God’s creation.  People kill far more people than any natural disaster ever could, short of an asteroid.

But don’t forget why Jesus carried his cross: Jesus died because we die.  Jesus personally suffered the evil we commit against God and each other.  In dying, Jesus forgives.  Then God defeated death and evil by raising Jesus from the dead. 

So when Jesus calls you to take up your cross, he is inviting you to go about things his way. 

You won’t need to go looking for crosses.  Life will hand you plenty of them, every day.  You’ll find yourself in moments, good or bad—when Jesus will stop you in your tracks.  Then, Jesus will invite you into something greater than human strength or power can ever achieve…  He will offer you another choice, or a different path—instead of you doing what feels good or what comes natural, or what the world says you should…

When you’re frightened or in danger, Jesus may call you to stay in that moment, to rescue someone else in the same danger, like so many have done down south…  He will help you to give to those in need, with confidence that your generosity won’t leave you empty. 

When people do evil to you, Jesus will help you to forgive your enemies and bless them—blessing you in the process.  He will help you to live peaceably with insolent people intent on getting their own way. 

When you hurt someone, Jesus will help you to ask for forgiveness.  He will open doors to reconciliation (if that’s what’s truly best). 

When evil looks good and the good looks evil, Jesus will help you do what’s right.  He may even change your mind about what’s right and wrong and teach you something new. 

When you find yourself in a situation where you are as weak and helpless as Jesus was on his cross, with no one coming to your aid and seemingly the whole world is against you; when you’re breathing your last breath—Jesus will hold onto you until there is resurrection. 

God’s power is made perfect in weakness.  In Christ, every cross gives way to resurrection. 

The world seeks happiness through power, riches, and strength.  Might makes right. Battles are won with swords and clubs.  Only the loud voices get heard; only the strong survive.  Those who die with the most toys win.

Taking up your cross, you begin to see the world as God sees it—and the way it ought to be.  In Christ, love heals.  Hope triumphs over adversity.  Generosity enriches the giver and the recipient.  Patience in suffering gives way to healing.  Perseverance in prayer reveals God’s answers.  An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind, but blessing your persecutors paves the way to peace and a better world. 

Every cross is a trust that Jesus can take what is bad and evil and make it better.