I would like to start today’s sermon with couple very important Bible verses:

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God. Galatians 2:20

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:3

We were buried therefore with him by Baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4

If anyone want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. Mark 8:34-35

What do these 4 verses have in common? What is the main idea that connects them all?

(our death, our burial, denying ourselves, loss of our life… new life in Christ, Christ being our life, newness of life, faith in Christ, Christ’ sacrifice, Christ’ resurrection)

So the main idea could be: If we want to live with Christ, we have to die to ourselves. If we want a new life in Christ, we have to deny our own life. If we want Christ’ life to be visible through ours, we have to give up our life.

Now we’re in the Lenten season, and we’re supposed to give up stuff. Right? It would be an interesting survey to find out what each of us gave up. Some of us gave up chocolate, some gave up eating out, some gave up video games, some gave up shaving… That was always my favorite, but it never really worked.

But seriously, what is God calling us to give up? God is calling us to give up ourselves. Hmmm… that’s a tough one, really tough one. But according to Christ it is a necessary one.

For we like to be in control. We have to have the last say. It’s all about us, our ideas, our needs, our desires, and our understandings.

I talked to a friend who said: I can’t believe in God that would not save everyone, even the worse sinners who rejected him. Then I heard from another friend: I can’t believe in God who would just save all the sinners with no consequences.

Both of these statements start with that tragic word: I. I can’t believe, I don’t understand, I think this is the way … (pause)

God says: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate. And Paul ads to that: For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

And then Paul continues and says: We preach Christ crucified.

Jesus says: If anyone wants to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

And so what are we left with in this Lenten season? We’re left with the cross of Christ. The cross that symbolized the suffering and death Christ. (pause) We’re left with an invitation of the Christ, to leave everything at the cross. Our sin, our pain, our grief, our human understanding, even our good deeds…

Christ says: Give it all up, right here at the cross, and now stand up and walk with me. Let me be your Savior. For once don’t fight me, don’t try to understand, don’t try to deserve it, but simply believe and trust. Deny yourself and follow me and I will give you life. A new life where I’m present, always. (pause)

Can we do that? It’s not easy, but that’s the only way. It’s not a one day thing, but it’s an everyday journey, journey with Christ, who once said: I am the way, the truth, the life.

Christ invites us for this journey, journey that starts at the foot of the cross and continues to an empty tomb. A journey that starts with tears, suffering and death, but continues with rejoicing and life.

And so if you’re tired of the suffering, uncertainty, fighting life all by yourself, being all alone trying to make sense out of things, it is the time to give it all up, to take up the cross of Christ and follow him. For Jesus says: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

How does this translate to our everyday lives? Well just imagine that when you deal with your everyday problems and joys, in your family or at your work, it’s not all about you anymore, but you’re free to see the needs of others, for it is the Christ who lives in you. You’re able to find comfort and peace when the things get tough, for the Christ lives in you. You’re able to forgive and be patient for Christ lives in you. You’re able to believe and trust in God, for it is his Son that unites you with him.

In other words, your whole life is changed, it’s transformed, by Christ’s presence though faith. All you have to do is: To deny yourself. For those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.

Amen