In the question posed to us today, does it mean that we are to literally pick up a cross and carry it as Jesus tells us to? Are we to actually carry a wooden cross around every day, wherever we go?
What is the meaning of carrying a cross?
Will an article of jewelry of a cross satisfy this requirement? We will take a few moments to look at a few passages of Scripture and determine what it means to “take up your cross and follow me.”
1. Jesus Prepares the Disciples for Persecution
Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me (Matthew 10:38).
In order to follow Jesus, we must be willing to take up our cross, to publicly identify with Christ, to potentially face almost certain opposition, and to be committed to suffering and even dying for Him.
2. Jesus Describes Who a Disciple Is
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
The disciples understood what Jesus meant when He portrayed to His followers to take up their crosses to follow Him.
The Romans used crucifixion as a common method of death, and the condemned had to carry their crosses through the streets to the place of execution.
As a result, following Jesus required a complete commitment, the possibility of death, and no return.
Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it (Matthew 10:39)
The same truth is stated both positively and negatively in this verse: gripping to this life might make us relinquish the best from Christ in this world and in the following.
The more we cherish the pleasures, power, popularity, and financial security of this life, the more we will realize how meaningless they really are.
As a result, the best way to enjoy life is to let go of our avarice for worldly rewards and follow Christ. By doing so, we will acquire eternal life and immediately begin to reap the rewards of following Him.
3. Jesus Uses Cultural Context
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34).
Taking up one’s own cross was understood by Mark’s original audience, the Romans. Rome used the method of death on a cross to execute criminals. As a sign of submission to Rome’s authority, a prisoner carried his own cross to the place of execution.
The phrase “to carry a cross” that Jesus used was to show His followers the ultimate submission. He is not opposed to pleasure, nor does He suggest that we should seek unnecessary pain.
He is referring to the courage and backbone that is required to follow Him each day and conduct His will, even when the work is challenging, and the future appears to be dismal and unpromising.
4. Jesus Speaks to the Rich Young Man
Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Mark 10:21).
This story, to which this verse is related, demonstrates to us that nothing we possess or desire should prevent us from following Jesus. To fully serve Him, we need to get rid of all obstacles. Could we give up our home if Jesus asked us to?
Could we give up our automobile? What about our income level or our position on the promotional ladder? Whether money is our servant or our master, our reaction may reveal our attitude toward it.
5. Jesus Paid the Ultimate Price
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels” (Luke 9:23-26).
For something they value, people are willing to pay a high price. Is it any wonder that Jesus expected His followers to give up so much? People who want to follow Jesus must satisfy at least three requirements.
1. We need to be willing to forego our own needs.
2. We need to be ready to take up our crosses.
3. We must be willing to sacrifice our lives.
Anything less than that is merely lip service.
Christians follow Jesus Christ by living a life like Him and following His directions. To take up the cross means that we are willing to give up our self-centered desires of using our time and money in our own way and choosing our own path in life. In the long run, following Jesus is well worth the cost of any endeavor and discomfort.
What Does This Mean?
If this current life is more vital to any of us, we will do all that we can to safeguard it. We would not want to do anything that could jeopardize our comfort, health, or safety.
On the other hand, if following Jesus is the most important thing to us, we might end up in places that are risky, unhealthy, and uncomfortable.
We will put ourselves at risk of death, but we will not be afraid of it because we will be raised to eternal life by Jesus. The loss of eternal life cannot be replaced with anything material from this world. The disciples of Jesus are instructed not to live their lives for their own pleasure but to serve God and others.
Just as Jesus’ Jewish audience would have been perplexed by a Messiah who would allow Himself to be captured, Luke’s Greek audience would have struggled to comprehend a God who could die.
If they did not look beyond His death to His triumphant resurrection and Second Coming, they would be ashamed of Him. They would then view Him not as a failure but as the Lord of all Creation who, through His death, brought salvation to everyone.
Our final thought and a side note. Notice the number of instances that state, “take up the cross?” There are five of them. The number five is the number for grace or God’s goodness. The Bible mentions the number five 318 times, demonstrating our Lord’s goodness and grace toward humanity.
Also, how many of these passages of Scripture refer to the times when Jesus is predicting His death? There are three such occasions. The number three represents resurrection, divine completeness, and perfection.
It is the number of the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is the three-fold expression of “Who was” (past), “Who Is” (present), and “Who is to come” (future).
For further reading:
What Does it Mean to Deny Myself and Take Up My Cross Daily?
What Is the Misconception of ‘It Is My Cross to Bear’?
What Is the Significance of the Cross?
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