The Dailiness of the Cross

For the last few weeks, I've been delving into the book of Luke in anticipation of then going on into the book of Acts. Were it not for the book of John in between the two books written by Luke, Luke and Acts could be one continuing saga. However, in my study as often happens, I get stuck on a verse. Perhaps it's because of the blog from last week that something caught my eye and for me that was a signal to “pull over and park awhile."

You like me memorized a lot of Scripture in our younger days. Perhaps this happened in Sunday school or Vacation Bible School but I learned a lot of verses I didn't understand at the time. Still it didn't hurt me to memorize them. Luke 9:23 is one of those verses I have known for years, but only came into meaning for me in my adult years. Let me share some thoughts with you about this wonderful verse step by step as I am learning from it.

And he (Jesus) said to them all,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself, and take up his cross

daily,

and follow me.

And he said to them all...

Some commentators believe Jesus was speaking to His disciples along with a group of people. I don't think so for two reasons. In verse 18, we find Jesus alone praying when His disciples approached and nothing is said about anyone else. Next, Peter makes a declaration that Jesus is the Christ and Jesus cautions the disciples to tell no one what was just said. If there had been a crowd there, the word would have spread like a prairie fire. Jesus was asking for confidentiality. He knew the timing of His ministry and for whatever reasons, wanted some things put on hold for the time being.

If any man will come after me...

There is one word I want to address here and will take care of the rest of the phrase later. The word is “if.” The rest of this verse hinges on that one little word “if.” Small words in Scripture are very important. I've made a habit of marking the words “all” and “but” in my Bible for years. This “if” is vital. If one isn't willing to accept Jesus and His leadership then she need read no further for the rest of the verse would be of no interest at all.

I also have to add here though that notice must be taken of the fact that this verse is obviously an open invitation to “any man.” This wasn't just for His disciples. It is for any man, woman or child old enough to know what they are doing and for the right reasons. This was not to be an exclusive club or secret organization. This was going to be a Kingdom thing.

Let him deny himself...

This is a biggie...for this is an area where most Christians struggle. Too many Christians in our day have been caught up in the culture of self-indulgence and entitlement. Our faith has come at great cost to God and His Son. Often His commands are regarded as inconvenient or just too much to endure. Self-denial has almost been erased from the vocabulary of our Christian culture. And yet, Jesus here uses it as a watermark of who we are to be. This self-denial may involve money or material things but not always. Sometimes our talents and time seem to be infringed upon and we can become frustrated beyond words. When was the last time I was asked in any way to take this step in my spiritual walk. Asking self to sit down and behave is a tough thing to do. We're taught to look out for #1. I'm grateful every day I'm allowed to live and breathe and that on that day of great price, Jesus didn't look out for #1. He looked out for us.

And take up his cross...

Let's not be mistaken. The moment we accepted Jesus as Savior, we became cross bearers. Jesus said we would go through suffering and even persecution just as He had. No escape...that's the way it would be. This taking up of the cross is already a given fact but it's Jesus, the Divine Burden Bearer who will strengthen and enable us to take the next step even when we are at an end. However the key to this phrase has to do with how we take it up. These five words almost have a casual ring to them, like it's just something expected without our having an attitude about it. It almost sounds voluntary without thought of cost. Even though a requirement, attitude makes all the difference.  Remember that a cross isn't usually two pieces of wood nailed together.  A cross may be a long term problem with finances, family difficulties or health issues.  Whatever it is, it will be a very personal thing, unlike a cross another person may be called upon to bear.

Daily...

There is that word again. Every morning you and I wake up and our feet hit the floor, whether we know it or not, the first thing we take up before putting clothes on is our cross. It never leaves us. It's propped up against the wall waiting for us. I don't mean for this to sound so dismal but bottom line is that bearing a cross is very daily. We don't decide which days to deal with it as it's ever present. If I have a health issue that is ongoing, then I wake up to that issue every morning. Through the day there may be medications I'm required to take, special orders from a doctor to see to, appointments to keep at certain times so I never get away from that health issue. Would I like for it to go away...certainly but then the Lord would allow another cross or challenge to be apart of my life. He isn't looking for troubles for us but God knows what is going to strengthen and mature us and nothing will do that like a cross that requires our needing His assistance 24/7. Crosses can be so daily!

And follow me.

When growing up, did you ever have anyone follow you around? It may have been a pesty sibling or even some person at school that really wanted to be your best friend but you weren't interested. With Jesus, that's never the case. He longs for us to follow Him, to dog His trail so to speak. But these three words come at the end of the verse. You see, following Him closely will always come at great price. Look what it cost Jesus to do the will of His Father...the cross. It wasn't just the physical death of the cross even though that was bad enough, but he took on your sin and mine and the sin of everyone else. To follow Him and be in right relationship with Him will mean our identifying with Him as fully as we can in our human state. In following Him, we'll do what He says, go where He wants and be who He has commanded us to be.
What a wonderful privilege, this relationship of ours, even though it is costly if it is done in accordance with His word. Following Him with all of it's benefits is so wonderfully daily. But just as Simon of Cyrene helped Jesus bear His cross, so Jesus who can really relate to our cross bearing, comes along side and eases our burdens as no other can.  In it all, I'm just grateful that Jesus is so very daily in my life no matter what is going on.

Dear Jesus, I thank You for being my Savior, my burden bearer. You know what I need in my life to be the kind of follower You desire. I yield myself to Your divine will and at the same time plead for Your mercy and grace as I bear whatever is needful in bringing me ever closer to You. I love You. Amen.