Choose Life and Take Up Your Cross | Rev. John Arnold

During the season of Lent, we often choose to forego something that gives earthly pleasure to serve God. Many, however, do not have a choice in persecution and famine–or they have one choice–to follow God or deny Him. David, in Psalm 22, summarizes a question that will likely come up at least once in our lives, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning." Jesus Himself quoted David while on the cross. And yet, He chose to go to the cross. In going to the cross Jesus saved many! Jesus' reward in His obedience to God is to rejoice when we turn to God and intercede for us when we are persecuted or troubled. We too, in taking up our cross and following in His example, have a reward–and what a reward it is! _______ Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 Psalm 22:23-31 Mark 8:31-38