Scriptures to read and ponder: Luke 9:23 & 14:23, Mark 8:34 and Luke 14:27-33.
Luke 9:23 “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
Jesus meant deny your right to yourself, who can bear His cross? We have so hollowed the cross by twenty centuries of emotion and sentiment that it sounds like a very beautiful and pathetic thing to talk about carrying our cross. But Jesus never said “take up HIS cross and follow me”. No one can carry His cross. But we can bear our own cross.
So what is your cross and my cross? What does it mean to deny yourself? Let me say here that we don’t need to go searching for our cross. For whoever has decided to follow Jesus, need not go looking for a cross. When we commit ourselves to follow Him, there will be plenty of chances to deny one right to himself or to carry one’s cross. For our cross is wherever your will and God’s will intersect there is always a cross.
Should I go to the prayer meeting or stay home in my own comfort? Someone is needed to help with the children. Should I help or is it to much to ask? How many times have you had an opportunity to help in some way but refused because it would put a burden on you? What does it mean to deny one’s right to himself and what is your cross?
I believe every Christian should read the old Christian classic, “In His Steps”. So, what is our purpose in this Christian life? I believe it is plainly put in Paul’s letter to the Romans in Romans 8:28-29. We are called to be like Jesus. His image is being formed in our lives when we follow Him in our everyday lives. Taking up our cross daily and denying our right to ourself.
Blessings,
Pastor Sonny
