"Then Jesus said to all the people: If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me." (Luke 9:23, CEV) A lot of us want to follow Christ, but the problem we are having is that we don't want to follow the divine pattern laid down by Christ for His followers and disciples. Jesus made a call for discipleship, and He also stated the condition for such discipleship. Anyone who must respond to that call, must be ready to submit to that principle. The formula and pattern for discipleship is carrying a cross..
Crosses are seldom talked about in Christianity. Even most pulpits are lacking in sermons on the cross. It is the unpleasant aspect of Christianity - the part that nobody wants to lead with, the part that isn't marketable. But Christ says there is a cross. Before we rush to become disciples of Christ, we must know that it is going to cost us - our time, our money, our comfort, our pride, our self!. When we submit to Christ's discipleship, we will do away with those things that do not allow us to bear the cross effectively.
Jesus said: "If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me". No one is allowed to follow Jesus without a cross. If Jesus turns back and sees you carrying no cross, He will send you back to go and get it. You must have a cross. It is a pre-requisite. It is compulsory. You can't pray it away because it is the cross that will actually help you become an effective follower and disciple. Without a cross, you will find it difficult to submit to Christ's leadership. The cross humbles you; makes you accessible to Christ.
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." (Matt 11:29)
What is the cross? How do we carry it? Is it physical or spiritual? We shall answer all these questions next time on Daily Truth for Daily Victory #dt4dv. God bless you