Matthew16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. NIV
In the days of Jesus on earth, the physical cross was a symbol of suffering. Crucifixion was practiced by the Romans as a form of punishment for criminals. Only slaves, peasants, and the lowest of criminals were crucified, but rarely Roman citizens. They(Romans) had different types of crosses,e.g Crux Commissa,crux Immisa,etc. The Jewish historian Josephus, who witnessed live crucifixions during Titus’ siege on Jerusalem, called it "the most wretched of deaths." Victims were usually beaten and tortured by various means and then forced to carry their own cross to the crucifixion site.
Why did Jesus associate discipleship with the cross(suffering)? We may not understand the import of that statement until we examine what Paul said about those who will live a godly life in 2Tim3:12: "Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.". Whatever you suffer for standing on the truth, the kingdom and for righteousness is the cross. No man can follow Christ in truth without bearing the pains that comes with a stand not to compromise. The day you say goodbye to the world and compromise, you'll suffer. Albeit, it is a legitimate suffering.
I know a brother who waited for several months before getting a job because he refused to compromise his stand on certain things. There are other believers who wouldn't mind doing anything ( including age cheating and fornication) just to get the same job. If you haven't suffered for the sake of your faith in Jesus, your discipleship walk is in doubt. Our faith is not a bread and butter faith. Whoever told you that you won't suffer for the sake of righteousness has told you a big lie. Suffering is our calling: "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,"(Phil1:29). The beauty of our faith is in the cross. On daily basis, we must carry our cross and follow Jesus until we see him in glory. There is no shortcut to Christian discipleship.
Father, I receive the grace to take up my cross daily in Jesus name.