Everything Worth Having Comes With a Cost

There is a phrase I say to myself, when confronted with something hard: "cross before crown."

See, everything worth having comes with a cost.

In today's reading, Jesus explains that even the Messiah is not exempt from this principle: it's Cross before Crown for Jesus, too.

And the more valuable the crown, the more painful the cross.

What cross do you need to pick up today?

Today’s Scripture:

Luke 9:18-27

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The Baptism of His Suffering, Death, and Resurrection

In the liturgy for Holy Communion we pray:

"By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection
you gave birth to your church,
delivered us from slavery to sin and death,
and made with us a new covenant
by water and the Spirit."

In today's reading when Jesus asks James and John, "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?" he is talking about his coming suffering. He will be glorified, but he'll have to be crucified first.

Cross before Crown.

Today’s Scripture:

Mark 10:13-31

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Cross Before Crown

Jesus is clear with his followers: it's Cross before Crown; you have to lose your life to find it.

Where do you need to die to yourself today?

Today’s Scripture

Mark 8:27-38

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When It's Time to Fight

The Mount of Olives overlooks Jerusalem, and on Palm Sunday Jesus comes down the Mount of Olives in a triumphant procession as he enters the city. The excitement around Jesus has been slowly coming to a boil, but each time the lid is about to blow off, Jesus calms the crowds, or quickly withdraws, or tells the people not to say anything. Palm Sunday, however, is the moment when Jesus goes public. He encourages the shouts of Hosanna and the waving of the palm branches; his procession is a deliberately provocative and political act. And, just a few days later, he'll be crucified.

So, why does he do it?

I think the answer is that it's finally time for him to engage the fight. Jesus was born to die. Up to this moment, he has been biding his time. Now that the time has come, he's ready.

At some point, the difficult thing can't be avoided--it must be engaged.

Today’s Scripture:

Matthew 21:1-11

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