Cross Cutting

[248 words] I once saw a cartoon reminiscent of the scene from Mark 8:34 in which the Lord Jesus challenged believers to “take up your cross.” Within the cartoon, numerous figures were dragging large crosses. Each moved slowly under the weight of the oversized burden. Suddenly, a character spoke out and asked, “Is there a way to lift some of this load?” The next depiction showed the cartoon character sawing off a portion of the cross, thereby lightening his load. From that moment on, the cartoon character (with his “new and improved” cross) moved out ahead until he reached a large crevasse. The huge gap had no bridge, thereby stranding the character. Others arrived, lowered their crosses onto the crevasse, bridged the gap, and then resumed the journey. Suddenly, the character discovered that his new and improved version did not reach the other side. He found himself stranded. Realizing his…