As we continue our Lenten journey, we are reminded of the profound significance of this season. We began Lent with the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday, an outward sign of our inward repentance. The ashes symbolise our frailty – our creatureliness, as we were formed from dust and to dust we shall return, and our fallenness, as we are all affected by sin. Ash Wednesday calls us to remember our rightful place before God: humble, repentant, and in need of His mercy. As we reflect on our mortality and sin, we are invited to turn to God in faith, seeking His forgiveness and grace.
In Matthew 16:24-27, Jesus invites us to take up the cross and follow Him. He says, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." These words offer us both a challenge and a promise. Jesus speaks of two essential elements of the Christian life: self-denial and cross-bearing. But what do these really mean, especially in the context of Lent?
Self-denial, as Jesus teaches, is not simply about giving up small comforts or indulgences for a season. It is a deeper calling to let go of our own self-centred desires, our ambitions, and our personal attachments in order to follow Christ more faithfully. To deny oneself is to willingly choose God’s will over our own, to surrender our lives to Him, and to seek His glory instead of our own. During Lent, we are encouraged to examine where we may be holding onto things—whether it be material possessions, habits, or attitudes—that prevent us from fully following Christ. It is a time to let go of these things in order to make more room for God’s transforming presence in our lives.
Cross-bearing, on the other hand, involves embracing suffering and hardship as we follow Jesus. The cross was a symbol of rejection, pain, and sacrifice, and Jesus calls us to take up our own cross, to accept the cost of discipleship. This doesn’t mean seeking out suffering for the sake of it, but rather being willing to endure trials, to make sacrifices, and to face challenges that come with following Christ in a world that often opposes Him. Cross-bearing also involves serving others sacrificially, just as Jesus gave Himself up for us. It’s a call to live out love in the most challenging of circumstances, choosing to follow Jesus even when it’s not easy.
Lent, then, is a time for us to reflect deeply on these aspects of the Christian life. As we engage in acts of self-denial—whether through fasting, prayer, or other spiritual disciplines—we are participating in the process of letting go of our own desires and turning to God more fully. Through these practices, we learn to surrender to God’s will and grow in humility, recognizing that He alone is our source of life.
Cross-bearing during Lent involves more than just enduring difficulties; it is about actively choosing the way of Jesus. It is a reminder that following Christ involves sacrifice, but that the reward is life in Him. The cross that we are called to bear may involve giving up personal comforts, facing challenges in relationships, or taking steps to serve others in love. But the promise of Jesus is clear: those who lose their lives for His sake will find true life (Matthew 16:25).
So, as we continue through this Lenten season, let us ask ourselves how we are living out self-denial and cross-bearing. Are we willing to let go of the things that hold us back from fully following Christ? Are we ready to embrace the sacrifices and challenges that come with living as His disciples? As we journey towards Easter, may this season of Lent deepen our relationship with God, strengthen our commitment to follow Jesus, and shape us more into His likeness.
This message was preached at the Wednesday service at St Christopher’s on 19 March 2025.
