Here is what it doesn’t mean: stand as an audience in awe and admiration, marvelling at such great a sacrifice.

Here is what it means: come do what I am showing you!

Imagine you were a dance teacher, and your students just came to your classes to watch you in utter admiration each time and went back home! That wouldn’t be a class but a fan club.

Jesus didn’t take up the way of the Cross to build a fan club. He didn’t do it to build followership either. He did it to make disciples.

A disciple is distinctly different from a fan or a follower.

A fan admires at a distance; a follower marvels at close range.

A disciple strives to be like or even eclipse his teacher.

For example, in the aftermath of the recent floods in Durban, a disciple is thinking: How might I be of service to my suffering neighbours?

“Take up your cross and follow me!”