All good dramas have a climax. At these critical moments, everything falls into place and we can anticipate a happy or tragic ending. Today's gospel, Mark 8:27-35, presents us with just such a moment. These eight verses are a turning point in Mark's Gospel. He presents us with the revelation of who Jesus is and the stark reality of Jesus' mission. This is not a happy moment for the disciples. Their vision of Jesus the Messiah as a conquering hero coming to vindicate His people is crushed by the symbol of the cross. Jesus is not going to smash their enemies. He is going to “suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days” (Mark 8:31). Not only that, the disciples and all of us who choose to follow this suffering servant king have to suffer as well, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34).
Acknowledging Jesus as "the Christ" is easy. Accepting suffering, pain and death as part of the package is another matter entirely. Yet this is what we must do as followers of Jesus the Messiah. For the disciples, the cross represented a brutal form of punishment intended for slaves and non-Romans who committed heinous crimes including murder, treason and rebellion. Crucifixion was the worst death possible. Jesus is telling the disciples that if they continue to follow him they will be condemned as criminals and die. None of us is likely to be condemned as a criminal or suffer crucifixion for our belief in Jesus. However, Jesus is telling us that we too will have our crosses to carry. No Christian is exempt from hardship or suffering. Over and over again in the Gospels, Jesus reminds us that there is a high price to pay for discipleship.
Of course, we all want to be happy. None of us wants to suffer. Jesus does offer us hope “whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it” (Mark 8:35). If we are looking for happiness in wealth, success, fame and recognition, we probably won’t find it. If we look for happiness by following the path of Jesus (selflessness, humility and generosity), we may suffer some along the way but in the end we will experience a joy no one can take away (John 16:22).
Lord God, our hope and trust,
you have made us for happiness.
When we seek it in glorious dreams
of prosperity, success, and freedom from pain
help us to face the realities of real life.
Help us accept the uncertain darkness
of suffering and self-effacement
as the price to pay for light and joy.
Teach us the way of your Son Jesus Christ,
who died of his own free will,
that we might live and be happy.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
Amen.
