Bearing the Cross
Luke 14:27
And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
Thought:
When Jesus spoke of bearing a cross, the people knew exactly what He meant. The cross was a tool of death. It was a picture of shame, pain, and public rejection. Jesus was not talking about small personal annoyances. He was calling His followers to be ready to die, even physically, for His name sake.
Today some believers in other countries are giving up their lives for Christ. Others lose jobs, friends, and family because they will not deny Jesus. Even where we are free, the call has not changed. To bear the cross means to die to self. It means that my plans, my pride, my comfort, and my desire to be accepted must go to die at the cross.
The cross shows us that following Christ is not a path of easy religion. It is not about ceremony and image. It is about being willing to lose everything for the One who gave everything for us. The cross is not simply a symbol we wear. It is a life we live.
Prayer:
Father, in Jesus name, thank You for the cross of Christ. Thank You that Jesus bore the cross I deserved so I could be forgiven and made new. Now help me to bear my cross as Your disciple. Teach me to die to my pride, my selfishness, and my desire for an easy life. Prepare my heart to suffer for Jesus if that is Your will. Give courage to my brothers and sisters around the world who are facing death for the Gospel. May I never be ashamed of the cross of Christ. Amen.
And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
Thought:
When Jesus spoke of bearing a cross, the people knew exactly what He meant. The cross was a tool of death. It was a picture of shame, pain, and public rejection. Jesus was not talking about small personal annoyances. He was calling His followers to be ready to die, even physically, for His name sake.
Today some believers in other countries are giving up their lives for Christ. Others lose jobs, friends, and family because they will not deny Jesus. Even where we are free, the call has not changed. To bear the cross means to die to self. It means that my plans, my pride, my comfort, and my desire to be accepted must go to die at the cross.
The cross shows us that following Christ is not a path of easy religion. It is not about ceremony and image. It is about being willing to lose everything for the One who gave everything for us. The cross is not simply a symbol we wear. It is a life we live.
Prayer:
Father, in Jesus name, thank You for the cross of Christ. Thank You that Jesus bore the cross I deserved so I could be forgiven and made new. Now help me to bear my cross as Your disciple. Teach me to die to my pride, my selfishness, and my desire for an easy life. Prepare my heart to suffer for Jesus if that is Your will. Give courage to my brothers and sisters around the world who are facing death for the Gospel. May I never be ashamed of the cross of Christ. Amen.
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