Carry your cross

by -

Matthew  16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Many people interpret “cross” as some burden they must carry in their lives: a strained relationship, a thankless job, a physical illness. With self-pitying pride, they say, “That’s my cross I have to carry.” Such an interpretation is not what Jesus meant when He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me.”

When Jesus carried His cross,  the cross meant one thing and one thing only: death by the most painful and humiliating means human beings could develop.

Two thousand years later, Christians view the cross as a cherished symbol of atonement, forgiveness, grace, and love.

But in Jesus’ day, the cross represented nothing but torturous death. Because the Romans forced convicted criminals to carry their own crosses to the place of crucifixion,

bearing a cross meant carrying their own execution device while facing ridicule along the way to death.

Therefore, “ Take up your cross and follow Me ” means being willing to die in order to follow Jesus. This is called “dying to self.” It’s a call to absolute surrender.

So if anyone must follow Christ,  he or she must be ready to carry his/her cross

If you wonder if you are ready to take up your cross, consider these questions:

• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing some of your closest friends?

• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means alienation from your family?

• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means the loss of your reputation?

• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your job?

Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means not to marry the person you wish but accept God's choice?

• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your life?

Following Jesus doesn’t necessarily mean all these things will happen to you, but are you willing to take up your cross? If there comes a point in your life where you are faced with a choice—Jesus or the comforts of this life—which will you choose?

Commitment to Christ means taking up your cross daily, giving up your hopes, dreams, possessions, even your very life if need be for the cause of Christ.

Only if you willingly take up your cross may you be called His disciple (Luke 14:27 ).

The reward is worth the price.

Carry your cross,  it's a must if you must follow Christ.

God bless you.