Bearing Your Cross

“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” —Matthew 16:24

The cross mentioned has been erroneously explained to mean the hardships; afflictions or trials Christians suffer as they follow Jesus.
A popular hymn says:

The truth is, Jesus DID bear the cross ALONE, that I might go free. Believers do not share with Christ any part of the payment for their sins. Jesus’ blood shed upon Calvary’s cross ALONE was enough to atone for every sin ever committed.

The adversities of life are not crosses we must bear to follow Christ. Even the unsaved have their share of troubles, but these are not “crosses” God has given them to bear.

Then what is the cross that we are to bear? First, the context of Matthew 16:21-24 reveals it to be a CROSS OF REJECTION. Jesus was about to be rejected. As followers of Christ, we can expect to suffer the rejection of loved ones and so-called friends.

Second, it is a CROSS OF RECKONING. Jesus rebuked Peter saying, “…thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” When we bear OUR cross, we reckon the things of God to be of greater value than the things that be of men.

Third, it is a CROSS OF RESTRAINT. Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him DENY HIMSELF, and take up HIS cross…” Instead of living for SELF, we live to DENY SELF. That doesn’t agree with this modern age of “self-love,” “self-help,” and “self-esteem.” Yet, Paul predicted in these last days men would be preoccupied with SELF instead of denying self (2 Tim. 3:1-2).

Lastly, it is a CROSS OF REDIRECTION. We now follow Christ. Where He leads me, I will follow.

Have you taken up YOUR cross?