“As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, ‘May I say something to you?’ ‘Do you speak Greek?’ he replied. ‘Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness some time ago?’ Paul answered, ‘I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people.’ After receiving the commander’s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic…’” Acts 21:37-40

Lord, Help us! The world needs us to tell them about Jesus and they don’t even know it. This world is growing more and more opposed and even hostile to the gospel message. Lord, help us! Help your church, yes, help me, to fully embrace the cross that is my salvation and the cross that comes along with following you. Help me love people so deeply that I will endure much so that I can share the gospel with them. Lord, help your church-help me-to rise up and bring the message of Jesus to this hurting and broken world. You have given us the one message that can truly bring healing and help to this world. You have put that message in my heart to heal me. Put that message on my lips so that I share it. Lord, help us! Amen.

Following Jesus means embracing the cross. It means embracing the gospel of Jesus to such an extent that we will endure all things rather than fall away from it. It means denying ourselves, saying “no” to the things that we want, the things that are comfortable, and following after Jesus. It means proclaiming Jesus to those who may not want to hear it. It means never being ashamed of Jesus even at risk to our lives. Following Jesus means embracing the cross.