To Follow Christ and be just like him; take this exam and see if you can drink this cup

To Follow Christ and be just like him; take this exam and see if you can drink this Cup

We begin with being baptized in the waters of life where you shall find the test of answering “Will You?”  Your answer doesn’t only need a word of obedience; it must also find courage to walk the way of temptation.  (Mk 1: 9 - 11, 12 - 13).  They will come at you when least expected. 

Ministry requires more than keeping a journal of accomplishments; it must pass the trial of the first, second, and final criticisms that your efforts may not find acceptance from your audience.  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.”  “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”  (Lk 4:18, 21).  Rejection can become a common factor that you must swallow your pride and pick up your boot straps and move on.  Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.  Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”  He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also.  For this is the purpose I have come.”   (Mk 1: 35 - 38).  You may not always have the luxury of choosing your next assignment but the Spirit will have a lot to say where you will end up.

Taking an oath of poverty is not always just for those who choose religious orders.  Those of us who decide to limit our remuneration for ministry should look to the very needs and not establish large bank savings for future pleasure.  (This does not include family requirements that depend on food, shelter, and necessary clothing).  Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroys, and thieves break in and steal.  But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroy, nor thieves break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”  (Mt 6: 19 - 21).  This is sound advice for anyone who is deeply concerned with being just like Christ.

Now the real questions will challenge a person who finds the opportunity to pick up the cup that Jesus confronted his Father with when he said, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.”  (Lk 22: 42).  

Walking the via dolorosa on his way to Calvary carrying his cross to die upon.  The real cross was not the tree he died upon, it was the sins we committed that he carried with love.  Could anyone reading this do the same?  

As he was stretched out on the beams of wood and the soldiers struck one blow then another and more until he was in so much pain the remaining crucifixion was just icing on the cake that pleased the Pharisees and those who grimaced at the sight.  How many taking this exam are willing to continue.  

Before dying Jesus had one more facet of ministry to perform;  “to the criminal on one side of him who asked Jesus to remember him when he replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”  Lk 23: 42).

There you have it; a series of questions you will need to answer if your quest is to be just like the Lord Jesus Christ.  Too difficult for any man to emulate. Jesus was a man just like us without sin.  He did all this through guts and a mission he wanted to complete out of love for all of us.  We may not go to a wooden cross to forgive other men and women.  But the rest are possible and the probability that many will attempt some of them and reach the pinnacle of eternity just as Christ proposed for us.

Ralph B. Hathaway