Luke 9:23
And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me
To be Jesus’ disciple, we need to deny ourselves and take up our cross. We get the deny ourselves part, that means we have to leave every worldly things that we used to hold dear to. No, it doesn’t mean we have to live in a solitary poor life, but simply we don’t focus too much on the worldly pleasure and yes it’s ok to work and socialize, because it is our duty to become salt and light to people around us, right. And if we just do everything that the non-believers do, what good are we (as salt) ? how are we different? So we should show how different we are, but not by being arrogant of course, but rather living a humble life that shows the glory of Jesus.
What about the cross? We all know that it can’t be wooden cross. Come on, taking wooden cross daily? That’s just wrong. Some say the cross represents suffering or struggle. Wow, let’s try to put that to the verse: “and take up his struggle/suffering daily…” What??? God is not a sadist. Do you think God likes to see us suffer daily? As a Christian, we don’t live like we’re in a picnic everyday but we also don’t suffer every day. Yes, there are times God allows us to struggle or be tempted but that happens only because He wants to teach us something and to bless us when we win from that struggle. So, saying that the cross is suffering or struggle. That’s just wrong. So what is this cross? What does the cross represents? Think again… Salvation! The whole reason Jesus came to earth was to die on that very cross to save us. So the cross represents His mission of salvation. His mission started when He left heaven and took flesh form. That means Jesus ‘denied’ Himself. He denied His heavenly status and took a servant (human) form. And then He ‘took’ His cross from the very moment He came down to earth.
I’ve never seen the movie Passion of The Christ but from what I heard, it’s quite gruesome. I have seen the trailer though. To be honest, I’m not really fond of the idea of the movie. Yes, you can categorize the movie to Christian movie but it really has diminished the real meaning of Jesus’ struggle. Jesus didn’t struggle when He was physical wounded. Physical oppression means nothing to Jesus. You don’t believe me? Read the following.
Matthew 26:36-39
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and He told His disciples, Sit down here while I go over yonder and pray. And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to show grief and distress of mind and was deeply depressed. Then He said to them, My soul is very sad and deeply grieved, so that I am almost dying of sorrow. Stay here and keep awake and keep watch with Me. And going a little farther, He threw Himself upon the ground on His face and prayed saying, My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but as You will and desire.
Jesus brought His 11 disciples (of course we know what the other one is doing) to the Gethsemane. This is not a very common thing for Jesus. He usually went to pray alone but this time He brought His disciples. Just wanted them to watch with Him but His disciples kept falling asleep. Now why does Jesus wants His disciples to watch with Him this time? Because this is the defining moment. This is real struggle for Jesus, to make that decision to drink from that cup. From Luke we can learn how hard it was for Jesus. Luke even showed how hard it was for Jesus. Read the following.
Luke 22:43-44
And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him in spirit. And being in an agony, He prayed more earnestly and intently, and His sweat became like great clots of blood dropping down upon the ground.
It was so hard for Jesus that Father in Heaven even sent an Angel to strengthen Him. That’s how bad the struggle was for Jesus and that was the real struggle for Jesus, the spiritual struggle. Did God send an angel to strengthen Jesus when He was being physically persecuted and forced to carry the wooden cross? No! Because it was nothing compared to the spiritual struggle. Satan was tempting Jesus so He’d pass the cup but He didn’t because He loves us that much. And what about the cup? Is it the cup of suffering? Is it the physical suffering, the crucifixion? No! Are you kidding, Jesus is the King of Heaven. Physical suffering means nothing to Him. It was the cup of sins of the world of all time that He was struggling for. Jesus has always been HOLY and He HATES sin. He is repulsed by sin and yet, He decided to drink it to carry the wage of sin for all mankind. Did He have to do it for Himself? No! What good was it for Jesus? Nothing! But He did it anyway out of LOVE for us. Imagine having to do something you hate the most but times it a million time worse. He was ready to do just about anything to save us. That’s the real cross that Jesus carried, not the wooden cross, that’s nothing. And Jesus was faithful in carrying His ‘cross’ (mission) until He was crucified. That’s how much He loves you! As you can see, Jesus has set the example. He has denied Himself and took His cross faithfully.
Now the question is, what about OUR cross (mission) ? If Jesus’ mission was taking up all the sins of the world of all time. What’s ours? To do all of Jesus’ commands of course. And remember, God has plans for everyone. He wants us to do something but only if we let Him. God will not force you to do something because He has given us free-will to choose and He wants you to choose to do the work He has appointed you to. Maybe it’s time you start asking God what He wants you to do in your life. Involve God more in your planning and start taking the cross. Let’s pray to be faithful to the very end just like our King, Jesus.
Father in Heaven,
I am sorry if I have not been very faithful in taking my cross. Father, I realize I can’t do this alone, please give me the strength to deny myself and take my cross daily, so I may faithfully follow You until the very end. I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me in my life and may my life reflect more the glory of Jesus. So, God, please examine every plans that I have. Please improve it or even remove it according to Your will. Let Your plan alone happen in my life. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
