If there’s no struggle, there’s no progress.”
–Zachary McCrae (Warriors Never Sleep)
“And you cannot be my disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me.”
–Luke 14:27 (NLT)
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“Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.'”
–Luke 9:23 (NKJV)
This is one Scripture that people tend to push aside in their buffet-style Christianity. It is too hard, or too legalistic, or it costs too much. What must I give up to follow Jesus? Everything! I like the way the CEV translates this verse and the Phillips as well.
“…If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross every day and follow me.” (CEV)
“…If anyone wants to follow in my footsteps, he must give up all right to himself, carry his cross every day, and keep close behind me.” (Phillips)
Take a few moments to ponder what is being said. This is part of working out your own salvation, growing in grace, reaching down, picking up your cross, everyday, and following the way that Jesus has for you. Not easy, not fun, but needed, and it is dutiful, and it is a requirement of a disciple. I would remind you that this is not justification, this is discipleship, being a soldier of the cross. It is not a one time event, but a decision that is made everyday from the time you open your eyes in the morning until sleep overtakes you at night.
First of all–deny yourself! Ouch, oh me, do I really have to? It is to ignore the very existence of self; to treat self as if it does not exist. We, most of the time, treat self as the most important thing that exists, and Jesus tells us that we must deny ourselves. It is a daily duty, a daily discipline to say no to personal and selfish desires. To realize that God’s will is the most important thing and that involves reaching down, purposely, and picking up the cross and what it means for that day and following Jesus.
To pick up your cross means to be prepared to face things as you are loyal to Jesus. It means to be ready to endure the worst that man can possibly do to you, for the cause of Christ. It means the willingness to suffer, if need be, to lose things or give them up for Christ. I am reminded of the oath of office I took when I went into the military. Self was to be put aside, I now belonged to Uncle Sam. Duty and mission became paramount. Follow orders, remember civilian life is over. Even spare time was taken up with study, or polishing boots.
The cross, what does it entail? It means giving all for Christ. It means spending your life, not for selfish desires, but for the cause of Christ. No longer are we living in and for the world’s system, but now for the kingdom of God. As Barclay says, it is not the minimum possible that I should do, but rather, what is the maximum possible? “The Christian must realize that he is given life, not to keep for himself but to spend for others; not to husband its flame but to burn it out for Christ and for men.” (Barclay)
Worldly possessions, what are they in comparison to the reward waiting for us in heaven for picking up the cross? It may seem contradictory, but picking up the cross is actually living the abundant life. Don’t look to the left, for there you will see the cares of the world. Don’t look to the right for there you will see the idea of suffering and pain. Follow in the Master’s footsteps and stay close to Him. Don’t waver, don’t fret, don’t be anxious because you think the cross is too heavy to lift and bear. Jesus is there, He will help you lift it, for He said His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). Onward is the way, onward we go, carrying our cross along the way.
“The consecrated cross I’ll bear
till death shall set me free;
And then go home my crown to wear,
for there’s a crown for me.”
–Thomas Shepherd