“And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:38, ESV)
The gospel of Luke contains the account of how Jesus fed five thousand men, and many more women and children. After the meal, Jesus preached words of wisdom. Among them was, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me..” (Luke 9:23–24). Jesus’ words declare that anyone wishing to follow Him will need to deny himself or herself the luxury of an easy life. This involves “taking up a cross daily”.
Jesus died on a cross. He bore the cross in humiliation to save us from our sins. He suffered on that cross to redeem your soul. In response, you will have to bear a cross daily. You will have to face some humiliation, suffer through certain aspects of your life, or face some uncertainty. In doing so, you will carry your own cross. That cross may not be a literal one, God forbid! But that cross WILL be a figurative one. Your cross will be challenging, difficult. It will be a burden that is not only painful, but it will define your life. Everyone who follows Jesus will have a cross to bear daily.
Our scripture message for today from the gospel of Matthew adds to the idea that you will bear your own cross in life. You will have a burden that will define you. You will need to face that cross and bear that burden. It will be something that your faith will need to overcome. Bearing that cross faithfully will define your view of Jesus. Bearing that cross will be necessary to show you love God in Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 10:38, “whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”
When visiting a hospital in St. Louis, I was asked to visit the room of a woman named Sharon who wanted to speak with me. She knew I was a pastor. She knew I was there to do visits. She wanted time alone with me to discuss something weighing heavy on her soul.
Not long after we began our discussion, she confided in me that she had attempted suicide. She shared with me that she contemplated suicide for a long time and that was why she was in the hospital. Sharon explained how antidepressants didn’t help. Counselors didn’t help. Therapy didn’t help. Nothing seemed to help. She was miserable. She hated her life. She wanted out.
After listening for close to ten minutes, I asked Sharon if she believed in Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She nodded. I asked how much Jesus meant to her. She told me how much she loved Him. She mentioned growing up in church and the wonderful spiritual moments she had throughout her life. So, I pressed her further, “if you love Jesus, why do you want to die so badly?” She didn’t answer.
After a short silent prayer asking God for help, I opened my Bible and turned to Matthew 10:38. I read to Sharon that “whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Then, I turned to Sharon and said, “Maybe depression is part of your cross to bear. Did you ever think that Jesus would want you to show that you love Him more than depression? Did you ever wonder if by fighting depression, you will be not only an inspiration for others but an example of a person who bears a heavy cross beautifully for Jesus?”
I’m guessing that nobody ever presented depression this way to her, because she immediately burst into tears. She admitted that depression had become all-consuming. She vowed right then and there to fight depression, bear that burden, because she loved Jesus more than depression. We held hands. We prayed together. When I left, I could see that she and Jesus had made a pact. She would bear this burden not for herself but for Jesus. She would no longer see her depression only as a huge negative but something that would show Jesus her love. I saw a smile on her face as I left her room. She never did try again to commit suicide.
You may not bear the burden of depression, but I guarantee you will need to bear a cross for Christ. That cross may be heavy from past sin, regrets, anger, resentments, failures, a divorce, a big mistake, an addiction, or wasted time. It may be weighed down by responsibilities or relationships that are difficult. It will certainly bear the weight of how to share the gospel in a world that is not accepting it. No matter what, your cross will involve bearing burdens in the name of Jesus. That cross will never be easy to shoulder. It will bring you down at times. It will eat away at your strength. But, with a true faith in Christ Jesus, you can bear that burden gracefully. You can carry that cross with hope in your heart. Why? That cross will be what shows Jesus your true self. That cross will not only expose your weaknesses, but it could also be the very thing that displays how great is your love of Jesus the Christ!
The cross you bear for Jesus will change over time. It may involve people, issues, financial decisions, pains, problems, trials, joys, and fears. It will also involve issues of faith, patience, steadfastness, hope, and the love of God. Your cross will be eased through prayer, worship, hymns, the love of others, and the Holy Spirit.
If you had to tell me today what defines the cross you bear for Christ, could you? Are you bearing that cross with grace or resentment? While you carry that cross, is your focus on Jesus or fixed to the burden? Do you resent Jesus for your cross or perceive its blessing for eternity?
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray to You this day Heavenly Father. I seek Your strength and wisdom. Like Jesus, I look to You for direction and insight. Speak through Your Holy Spirit! Help me understand my situation from Your perspective. Help me face the burden of my cross to bear!
We are told in scripture that You discipline those whom you love. I accept that discipline, my Lord and God! I desire to keep my promises to You. I endeavor to accomplish Your will.
My sin has increased my burdens in life. My own selfish ways and arrogant pride have taken their toll. At times, I did not want to face challenges, admit my failings, confess my sins, and own up to my responsibilities. I realize now more than ever how much I have to learn and how much I need Your grace in my life!
In Jesus Christ, I rededicate myself this day. I vow to take up my cross daily. I promise to keep on the path of righteousness that leads back to You! Amen.
Jesus died on a cross. He bore the cross in humiliation to save us from our sins. He suffered on that cross to redeem your soul. In response, you will have to bear a cross daily. You will have to face some humiliation, suffer through certain aspects of your life, or face some uncertainty. In doing so, you will carry your own cross. That cross may not be a literal one, God forbid! But that cross WILL be a figurative one. Your cross will be challenging, difficult. It will be a burden that is not only painful, but it will define your life. Everyone who follows Jesus will have a cross to bear daily.
Our scripture message for today from the gospel of Matthew adds to the idea that you will bear your own cross in life. You will have a burden that will define you. You will need to face that cross and bear that burden. It will be something that your faith will need to overcome. Bearing that cross faithfully will define your view of Jesus. Bearing that cross will be necessary to show you love God in Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 10:38, “whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”
When visiting a hospital in St. Louis, I was asked to visit the room of a woman named Sharon who wanted to speak with me. She knew I was a pastor. She knew I was there to do visits. She wanted time alone with me to discuss something weighing heavy on her soul.
Not long after we began our discussion, she confided in me that she had attempted suicide. She shared with me that she contemplated suicide for a long time and that was why she was in the hospital. Sharon explained how antidepressants didn’t help. Counselors didn’t help. Therapy didn’t help. Nothing seemed to help. She was miserable. She hated her life. She wanted out.
After listening for close to ten minutes, I asked Sharon if she believed in Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She nodded. I asked how much Jesus meant to her. She told me how much she loved Him. She mentioned growing up in church and the wonderful spiritual moments she had throughout her life. So, I pressed her further, “if you love Jesus, why do you want to die so badly?” She didn’t answer.
After a short silent prayer asking God for help, I opened my Bible and turned to Matthew 10:38. I read to Sharon that “whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Then, I turned to Sharon and said, “Maybe depression is part of your cross to bear. Did you ever think that Jesus would want you to show that you love Him more than depression? Did you ever wonder if by fighting depression, you will be not only an inspiration for others but an example of a person who bears a heavy cross beautifully for Jesus?”
I’m guessing that nobody ever presented depression this way to her, because she immediately burst into tears. She admitted that depression had become all-consuming. She vowed right then and there to fight depression, bear that burden, because she loved Jesus more than depression. We held hands. We prayed together. When I left, I could see that she and Jesus had made a pact. She would bear this burden not for herself but for Jesus. She would no longer see her depression only as a huge negative but something that would show Jesus her love. I saw a smile on her face as I left her room. She never did try again to commit suicide.
You may not bear the burden of depression, but I guarantee you will need to bear a cross for Christ. That cross may be heavy from past sin, regrets, anger, resentments, failures, a divorce, a big mistake, an addiction, or wasted time. It may be weighed down by responsibilities or relationships that are difficult. It will certainly bear the weight of how to share the gospel in a world that is not accepting it. No matter what, your cross will involve bearing burdens in the name of Jesus. That cross will never be easy to shoulder. It will bring you down at times. It will eat away at your strength. But, with a true faith in Christ Jesus, you can bear that burden gracefully. You can carry that cross with hope in your heart. Why? That cross will be what shows Jesus your true self. That cross will not only expose your weaknesses, but it could also be the very thing that displays how great is your love of Jesus the Christ!
The cross you bear for Jesus will change over time. It may involve people, issues, financial decisions, pains, problems, trials, joys, and fears. It will also involve issues of faith, patience, steadfastness, hope, and the love of God. Your cross will be eased through prayer, worship, hymns, the love of others, and the Holy Spirit.
If you had to tell me today what defines the cross you bear for Christ, could you? Are you bearing that cross with grace or resentment? While you carry that cross, is your focus on Jesus or fixed to the burden? Do you resent Jesus for your cross or perceive its blessing for eternity?
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray to You this day Heavenly Father. I seek Your strength and wisdom. Like Jesus, I look to You for direction and insight. Speak through Your Holy Spirit! Help me understand my situation from Your perspective. Help me face the burden of my cross to bear!
We are told in scripture that You discipline those whom you love. I accept that discipline, my Lord and God! I desire to keep my promises to You. I endeavor to accomplish Your will.
My sin has increased my burdens in life. My own selfish ways and arrogant pride have taken their toll. At times, I did not want to face challenges, admit my failings, confess my sins, and own up to my responsibilities. I realize now more than ever how much I have to learn and how much I need Your grace in my life!
In Jesus Christ, I rededicate myself this day. I vow to take up my cross daily. I promise to keep on the path of righteousness that leads back to You! Amen.