Read Matthew Chapter 16:24 Again
Part 2 of “Take Up Your Cross.”
Yesterday we looked at what it meant to be a disciple of Christ and Part 1 was to “Deny Self.” Today is Part 2 and being a disciple of Christ requires us to “Take Up Our Cross Daily.” During the days of Jesus, if someone took up their cross, it meant they were a criminal sentenced to death.
When Jesus took up his cross, it symbolized death but not because of his wrongdoing. He did it for our wrongdoing. He died in our place, for our sins. His death and Resurrection defeated sin and death. So if we put our faith and trust in the work of Christ on the cross, our sins are forgiven. Death no longer has a hold on us. The cross brings hope for the future. Yes, we all die physically, but those in Christ will live forever in heaven when they leave this earth.
1 Corinthians 1:18 says, “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.”
So Jesus took up HIS cross for US, so why is he asking US to take up our cross for HIM? Why is it necessary?
1. In Christ we have forgiveness. We have a new life. But every day is a battle between our sin nature and the spirit within us. Satan does everything he can to get our focus off of the Lord and on to ourselves and our circumstances. It is necessary for us to take up our cross daily as a way of dying to our self pleasures, our interests, and our circumstances; and then get refocused back on Jesus.
2. But I believe there’s yet another aspect to this “Carrying of the Cross.” Jesus was willing to take up his cross and die for the benefit of others, for me. Am I willing to take up my cross for Jesus and die, if it comes to that, for his benefit? Am I willing to die for Jesus even if it means being ostracized by my peers, or persecuted, or executed?
Jesus, I am willing but I can’t do it on my own. I need your Holy Spirit to empower me and help me to die daily to self, and be willing to die for my faith if it comes to that.
