Then he said to them all, ‘If any wish to come after me,
let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
For those who want to save their life will lose it,
and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.’ — Luke 9: 33-34
One of the most complex, uncomfortable, even perplexing events in the Christian story is the crucifixion of Jesus. The scripture says, “When the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51).” Jesus knew he would face an immense suffering, humiliation, and death; but he went anyway. Couldn’t he have accomplished his mission without dying? We will explore the ways in which our sacrifices and suffering can be redeemed. Jesus shows us how on the way to the cross.
Scripture: Luke 9: 51-62