A Share In The Cross

It would be impossible to overstate the personal sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. It is hard to imagine the pain and suffering he endured as his flogged body hang from three nails on that wooded torture tree.  And the physical pain paled in comparison to the weight of humanity's sin and shame. 

But the sacrifice on the cross was not altogether personal.  While he bore the pain of the nails and the weight of society's offense, at the foot of the cross stood others whose hearts and souls were pierced that day as well: "Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene" (John 19:25).

His mother and others who loved him dearly were there as well. Every lash of the whip, every blow of the hammer, every mock from the crowd - these women winced in the inward pain that the other feels as they helplessly stand by and watch the suffering of their son or daughter or husband or wife or.....

This is part of the cost counting Jesus warned us to consider: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters---yes, even their own life---such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26-27).

As disciples, we are to accept the cross, which is to die to self interests and live for the glory of God. Sometimes that will involve pain and/or loss. And others who love you will suffer with you. We are called to love God enough to allow them to suffer. To spare them of suffering, you would have to disobey the Lord and you may be denying them part of their share in the cross. 

Loss is not mitigated by choosing to disobey God, it simply migrates to the cost of sin. Sacrificing for the King brings victory while avoiding loss ends in defeat. Jus' Sayn.