COST OF FOLLOWING JESUS Pt.2

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS DAILY

Historically, from about the 6th century BC until the 4th century AD, the cross was an instrument of execution that resulted in death by the most torturous and painful of ways. Execution by the guillotine came much later as advancement increases but the use of cross to execute criminals was an age-long Roman practice. When you mention the word "cross" to someone who lived in that era, it meant death and nothing more. It meant tortuous death. The Romans forced convicted criminals to carry their own crosses to the place of crucifixion. Bearing a cross meant carrying their own execution device while facing ridicule along the way to death.

What did Jesus mean when He said, "Take up your cross and follow Me"? It means willingness to die in order to follow Jesus. This is called “dying to self.” It’s a call to absolute surrender. In context, we know Jesus implied "death" because the proximate verse(24&25) reads: "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?” (Luke 9:24-25). Death to self is a state where we are not controlled by self. It is a kind of death that occurs within while we are still alive. Just as a dead man is not conscious of anything happening around him because he has no pull or attraction to the things of this world, the man that is dead to self is not conscious of the allures of this world. Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Of a truth, the man that want to follow Jesus must be ready to die. It is a tough call. Death to self first and willingness to suffer for the cause of the kingdom even if it means losing ones life physically. This is not sweet to the ears especially in our days when we loathe "suffering" for the kingdom. If the apostles were to come back to listen to our messages, I'm sure Paul and others will cry. From inception, suffering( for Christ's sake) and death is part of this walk. In Philippians 1:29, Paul said, "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake". If God sends you on an errand deemed dangerous by many, will you go? Can God tamper with your comfort to advance His kingdom knowing fully that you will suffer? Do you truly mean to follow Jesus even if it means death? Count the cost to know where you stand. Self denial and willingness to take up ones cross on daily basis is the identifying mark of true disciples.