09/19/2020
Are we ready to follow Jesus, or do we think we are following Him now? If so, then where is our cross, why are we carrying it, and where are we going with it? The cross is a powerful symbol of our Christian Faith, and as such it is a very personal emblem of suffering, obedience, and ultimately death. When we think of “The Cross” we see Jesus hoisted up upon it with nails through His hands and feet, and the image is horrific to our mind’s eye, but that is Christ’s cross and not our own. Jesus didn’t tell us to pick up His cross and follow Him, He told us to pick up ours.
“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Matthew 16:24 ESV
Although we often say that we would nobly carry the cross of Jesus, we can’t. Only Jesus, and Simon of Cyrene, we’re tasked with doing that, and even though Simon helped carry the cross for Jesus, it was only Jesus who would be nailed to it... it was always meant for Him alone, it was His personal cross. On this cross Jesus the Christ was meant to suffer, forgive, and die. This is the symbol that He left for His disciples, and us, when He told them to pick up their cross. So knowing this, have we determine whether we are prepared to take up our own cross, and follow him? We are not meant to be like Simon... We are meant to be like Jesus... are we ready?
“As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross.”
Matthew 27:32 ESV
The book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was to come when He would be seated at the right hand of the throne of God, but the question that we must answer before we pick up our own cross is why are we choosing to endure our cross, and what it is that we think we will be enduring as a result. Each of the twelve disciples suffered terribly, and died a horrific death as the result of their decision to pick up their cross, except John (Who was tasked with caring for Mary). So what awaits us if we pick up our cross, and are we ready to endure it? Some believers seem to think that shouldering the cross is purely symbolic, but as we look back at the original twelve disciples, and the early church, we realize that this isn’t the case; at very least we will be hated.
“and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
Matthew 10:22 ESV
Perhaps we will be more like John, and be spared the crucifixion, but there is no guarantee, and by just looking at the twelve, we come to understand the reality of the cross. So why are you considering the cross? Do you see it as a help in this life, or is it because of what awaits you in heaven? If it is as a help in this world alone then Jesus will not know you when you face judgement, but if it is the joy of being in the presence of God, and Jesus, then do you value that enough to cause you to pick up your cross, and face the suffering, and death?
“looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2 ESV
So the cross that Jesus and Simon carried belonged to Jesus alone, and only He would suffer on it, only He would ultimately die upon it. This is where our crosses will take us as well. We will carry them as far as the strength we have left following our suffering will allow, and maybe someone will help us complete our journey, but ultimately our cross is meant for us alone, and only we are meant to die upon it... then we too will be lifted up with Christ. So, knowing this, we must now choose whether we will pick up our cross and follow Jesus, and knowing that Golgotha awaits us at the end of the earthly portion of our journey, of the Via Dolorosa, we must decide. If you think we think we have already picked up our cross... have we?
“and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.”
John 19:17 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, and His obedience to your will. Thank you for the joy He realized was awaiting Him when he completed His earthly journey and came to sit at your right hand. Help us Father as we decide whether to pick up our own cross and follow after Jesus. Give us hope, and trust in your promise of what lies beyond this world, our own suffering, and our personal Golgotha. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who promises us eternal life with you if we would obey your commandments, and believe in Jesus Christ your Son. Praised be your name for every step we take with our cross on our shoulder, and for all the suffering we endure along the way. Merciful are you Father who makes our pain bearable, and who sends Jesus to be our Simon when our load becomes too great for us to bear. Father you are forgiving and full of grace, and we pray that we too can forgive others completely as Jesus did on Calvary, and Stephen did while being stoned. From our own crosses give us the strength and righteousness needed to forgive all those in our lives who have gone unforgiven, and receive us to you free of unforgiven sins. Help us Holy Father to endure our cross as Jesus did His, and on that day when He returns for us, roll the stone away from our resting place, and carry us home to be with you forevermore.
“And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”
Mark 8:34-36 ESV
Rich Forbes