“If anyone desires after me to come, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."1
Matthew, Mark, and Luke all quote Jesus saying this, Luke adds "... take up his cross every day."2 In each case it was after Jesus foretold His death and resurrection to the disciples. This was before he would literally take up a cross and carry it to His crucifixion. Let us look at the powerful symbolism in the crucifixion and carrying the cross in our sanctification.
"Then they led Him out to crucify Him."3
Imagine what it would be like to carry a cross to crucifixion. If anyone would follow Jesus, he must deny himself and take up his cross. To the disciples Jesus said, "follow me" and "for whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."6 It is a difficult path but with a promise.
"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."8
The path leads to death but also to resurrection Life. As we participate in His death we will participate in His Life. Picture yourself taking up the cross of Christ, feel its burden, you too must carry it to Golgotha, to a crucifixion. Now, think of your cross, hurt, betrayel, lust, pride, addiction... the flesh doesn't want to die, take this burden from me you might cry, but carry on, take up your cross and follow Jesus, crucify the flesh with its passions and desires.
Come To Jesus
Matthew, Mark, and Luke all quote Jesus saying this, Luke adds "... take up his cross every day."2 In each case it was after Jesus foretold His death and resurrection to the disciples. This was before he would literally take up a cross and carry it to His crucifixion. Let us look at the powerful symbolism in the crucifixion and carrying the cross in our sanctification.
"Then they led Him out to crucify Him."3
Imagine what it would be like to carry a cross to crucifixion. If anyone would follow Jesus, he must deny himself and take up his cross. To the disciples Jesus said, "follow me" and "for whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."6 It is a difficult path but with a promise.
"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."8
The path leads to death but also to resurrection Life. As we participate in His death we will participate in His Life. Picture yourself taking up the cross of Christ, feel its burden, you too must carry it to Golgotha, to a crucifixion. Now, think of your cross, hurt, betrayel, lust, pride, addiction... the flesh doesn't want to die, take this burden from me you might cry, but carry on, take up your cross and follow Jesus, crucify the flesh with its passions and desires.
Come To Jesus