What Does It Mean to Take Up Our Cross?

Jesus said, “Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.… Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 10:38, 16:24

What does it mean to take up our cross?

✞ It means following Christ's example: 

“He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:8  

We may not be called to suffer physically, but we are called to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,” humbly submitting our will and desires to God (Philippians 2:1-7).

✞ It means crucifying worldly desires:

“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Galatians 6:14

“Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:8    

✞ It means sharing God's truth even when we're rejected:

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18  

We must never be ashamed of God's truths (Romans 1:16).

Taking up our cross means recognizing God's wonderful mercy and offering our whole being as a living sacrifice to our Lord (Romans 12:1).

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You'll be blessed to read this one-minute devotion about the story behind the hymn The Old Rugged Cross.

I encourage you to take a look at Easter Decorations for some ways I've tried to make my Easter decorations more Christ-centered.

 

BLN