TAKE UP YOUR CROSS DAILY

 

In the gospels, Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23 ESV) 

In this lent season, many give up something as a sacrifice. They deny themselves pleasure for forty days. Then, after the season of lent, it ends. Considering Jesus' words, 'take up your cross daily.' There is no end date in Jesus' words to the disciples. Matthew extends Jesus' words, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosever will save his life shall lose it, and whosever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange of his soul?" (16:24-26 KJV) Strong words. Consider your sacrifices. Are you following in the steps of Jesus? What are you sacrificing?

After the disciples received the Holy Ghost, they completely understood Jesus' words, "Take up your cross daily." They preached the gospel with many believing and the first church is established. They did not have a special building. They met in homes, on the streets, and at the temple. They boldly took up their cross, denied self, and obeyed Jesus' command to preach the gospel.

In Acts 3, Peter and John enter Gate Beautiful at the hour of prayer. There was a lame man at the gate, and Peter heals him. The lame man stands and dances with joy as many witness this miracle. Many gathered to see this lame man dancing for joy. As they gathered, Peter preached. He said to the crowd, "Why marvel and stare at us considering that we have this power. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers has glorified His Son, Jesus, whom you delivered to Pilate and refused to let him go free." (12, 13) He reminds them that they killed the "Prince of Peace" who was raised from the dead. "It is faith, through faith in Jesus' name has this man been made whole in your presence. What you did to Jesus was through ignorance and also the ignorance of your rulers. God had shown that Christ should suffer through the prophets. Now, it is fulfilled. Repent, be converted, so your sins may be blotted out." (16,19)  When Peter finished preaching, many believed. The number of men were about 5,000. (Acts 4:4) As Peter boldly preached, the priests, Sadducees, elders, and scribes witnessed the sermon, questioned them, and had Peter and John taken to jail. Why? Because they fearlessly took up their crosses and preached that "Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (4;12) 

Not only Peter, but all the disciples preached throughout all of Jerusalem. They were arrested, beaten, and released. Yet, they never stopped preaching the gospel as many more believed. Every time they were released, they were commanded not to speak in the name of Jesus. Each time "they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for Jesus' name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." (5:41,42) Daily, they continued to pick up their cross, denying self to obey God's command to share the gospel news.

Then, there was Stephen in Acts 7. He boldly preached the gospel of Jesus Christ who they killed on the cross and who rose from the dead and who many witnessed ascending into heaven. Stephen took up his cross, denied self, and was stoned to death. Stephen's last recorded words are "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." (7:60) Afterward, many believers left Jerusalem and shared the gospel in their hometowns. The church was growing because many were willing to make sacrifices and be sacrifices. 

Now, do you take up your cross daily? Before you do anything: STOP, THINK, PRAY. Will your actions reflect what Jesus would do? Will your words lead someone to God? Are you being kind? Are you being helpful? Are you really denying self? 

As Jesus said to the crowd in Mark 8:34-38: "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 a man profit to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whosoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."