Take Up Your Cross #258

Luke 9:23

...and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

We have been called to take up our cross and follow after Christ. The cross is our anchor that will keep us from being tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness. Carrying the cross is a requirement; without it we will never be disciples of Christ.

Jesus said, "Follow me," as He carried His cross on the road to Golgotha. The road was difficult and painful due to the brutal beating that He received at the hands of those He loved. On each side the crowd watched to see what Jesus would do. No doubt, Jesus recognized many of those in the crowd that mocked Him. Among them were people that were healed, forgiven, set free from demonic spirits. Many had heard Him preach His famous sermon on the mount. Others were His followers that cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. He fed a number them with fish and bread. During his lonely trek to Calvary it was a different story. Jesus had been falsely accused and found guilty of a crime He didn't do. Rather than cheers and accolades of praise, the same crowd cried out for Jesus to be crucified. The screams of the crowd, backed up by the mocking of demonic imps, were prevalent every step of the way. Among the hundreds of people watching the event that once thronged and surrounded Him for healing and to hear his teachings, He walked utterly alone, forsaken by all. Even His hand picked disciples were nowhere to be found. He looked to the Father and said, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? There was no complaining or murmuring in His question towards God. Through His desperate yet trembling voice there was obedience. He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth. Why did Jesus go through such an agonizing death? for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame.

God, according to His will, has prepared a cross for you to carry for your life. The cross is God's perfect gift for the journey that is set before you. Carrying the cross will not be a flowery bed of ease, but the reward is eternal life with the Father. Jesus Himself will be your guide and He alone will lead you down the lonely road to Golgotha. Every step of the journey may bring pain and difficulty that will challenge your commitment and may even cause you to question your own faith. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. There will also be betrayal by those you called friends. Those that you once embraced will falsely accuse you of outlandish things. Loneliness will be your companion because those that once loved you will reject you. At times you will hear the voices of the enemy speaking words of discouragement and doubt, hoping to bring utter despair to your soul. Learn to silence the voice of the enemy by embracing your cross for it was fashioned and designed specifically for your shoulders to bear. Without the cross you will never know what Christ went through, or what it truly means to be a Christian. No matter how hard it may be, carry it properly for the sake of those who are watching you suffer. When others see you, they will remember, for one day they will carry their own cross as they follow Him. Jesus said, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. The weight of the cross will develop substance, and substance will give you stability for the journey. Keep in mind, in your patience possess ye your souls.

Today a mimicked prayer makes one a Christian, but to be a disciple of Christ requires the carrying of the cross. Only those that are carrying the cross have the privilege and the honor to answer the invitation of following Christ. On the other hand, if you have not taken up your cross, you have not been invited to follow Him or be His disciple. Brethren, what is your desire: to be a professing Christian, or to be a true disciple of Christ?

Eph 4:14, Mat 21:9, Ps 22:1, Acts 8:32, Heb 12:2, Jh 16:33, Jh12:32, Luke 21:19

KJV