“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.’”

Matthew 16:24-25



You wear that cross,
so proud around your neck
--a gold medal to your faith.
This, the very neck, where words escape,
harsh, piercing words,
strong enough to crush souls
like a wrecking ball to pious attempts.
But then, you turn your back,
you, with no fear of the Lord.
The clasp holding firm,
you wear that cross,
your salvation on a chain.

You wear that cross,
displayed so all may see
--a fashion statement,
torn from the pages of fall catalogues.
You pretend not to notice the price,
and with no gratitude expressed
to such a glorious exchange.
There the necklace remains,
hanging so delicately upon your chest,
yet so far from your heart.
You wear that cross,
your salvation on a chain.

You wear that cross
in hopes to save yourself
--an insurance policy,
with only personal benefits.
Though the wise may say,
actions speak louder than words,
for whom might these actions be intended?
Yes, a statement can be without words,
and a believer can be without a disciple.
But apathetic you remain.
You wear that cross,
your salvation on a chain.