We celebrate the cross of Christ, and rightly so.  I often think of death on the cross, but that was not the point of the cross.

The cross was used to humiliate.  Jesus hung on the cross naked.  They tried to shame Him, but only instigated salvation for me.

They were even surprised, as I read it, by the death of Jesus.  Then they stuck a spear in His side just in case.

When Jesus tells me to take up my cross and follow Him, it is not simply for the death of my flesh.  It is for the utter humiliation of my being.  That I would end up completely humble and without pride.  That I would be spiritually naked in front of the entire world and even Christ Himself.

This is where I meet Jesus – and I do not like it at all.  I do like the results.