And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Matthew 10:38 (ESV)
Jesus tells me here that it is essential for me to take up my cross and follow him. If I do not, then I am unworthy of him, and according to the next verse, I will lose my life. But what is my cross? And how do I take it up?
The cross was an instrument of death. Jesus took up his cross on the way to his crucifixion and death. Am I expected to do the same thing? To die on a Roman cross?
Galatians 2:20 gives Paul’s answer to this question: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Paul had died to self and was now living his life by faith in Christ.
Is anything less expected from me? Taking up my cross and following Jesus means that I no longer live this life for myself, seeking to satisfy my own desires and goals. Instead, I should live in a way that would be pleasing to Christ, following his goals for my life.
What taking up our cross looks like will vary from person to person. It may take you to foreign lands to share the gospel. It may lead you to serve God in the workplace. Or to raise your children to be godly and holy. God’s call in each of our lives is different. But what is the same is the need to take up our cross and follow him.
And our cross will never get too heavy. We do not carry it alone. He is always with us and will help us carry it.
