What is a "cross"? Often we identify any difficult person or circumstance in our life as "our cross". Too often, these are just difficult people or circumstances but not a "cross". Jesus endured difficult people and circumstances, but what was the distinguishing mark of the cross?
Being fully man, and "being tempted in every way just as we are", Jesus undoubtably did not wish to die a young man. He certainly did not want to suffer the agonizing death of the cross. He may have, as a man, had a desire to experience marriage, the intimacy of a woman, or even earthly children. But, He put these desires and expectations aside in order to willingly shoulder the circumstance of another, His bride, the church, us.
I offer that a cross is anything that we choose to shoulder for the benefit of another despite bringing us great pain, distress, or loss, even loss of desires. What are some examples of "crosses"?
*Forgoing a career to stay home and raise children;
*Opening your home to another while they get back on their feet;
*Spending the day clothing, feeding and finding shelter for a homeless person...while the Super Bowl is on TV;
*Sharing your praise with another, though you really did most of the work;
*Forgiving someone else's wrongdoing, at great cost and or pain.
So what does it mean to "take up your cross daily?" I believe it means shouldering someone else's circumstances, with no personal benefit other than knowing two nail-scarred hands are clapping!
A disciple, a follower of Jesus, puts Jesus above self, others and things. (Luke 14:26,27,33)
To be a disciple of Jesus is to believe Jesus is Lord of heaven and earth and supreme owner of everything. He came into this world to reveal God and His love. He bought us by the price of His precious blood (I Corinthians 6:20, I Peter 1:18,19). And He left us His own personal example to follow so that we can know what being His disciple is all about.
As His disciples we acknowledge that we own nothing. Rather, we are trustees of the time, talent, and treasure He has given to us. Our response is to daily, take up the cross (Luke 9:23,24); put Jesus Christ above self, others and things (Luke 14:26,27,33); and follow His example of being a self-giver rather than a self-server (John 13:1-15).
In summary - A follower of Jesus:
1.Follows Jesus ("on assignment from Jesus!");
2.Loves God;
3.Loves others;
4.Loves his neighbor (the least of these and the lost);
5.Walks in the Spirit;
6.Obeys God's Word;
7.Prays Jesus' way (that His Kingdom come...that Jesus reigns!);
8.Denies self!
In "The Pursuit of God" by A. W. Tozer, he offers this prayer:
"O God, be Thou exalted over my possessions. Nothing of earth's treasures shall seem dear unto me if only Thou art glorified in my life.
Be Thou exalted over my friendships. I am determined that Thou shalt be above all, though I must stand deserted and alone in the midst of the earth.
Be Thou exalted above my comforts. Though it mean the loss of bodily comforts and the carrying of heavy crosses I shall keep my vow made this day before Thee.
Be Thou exalted over my reputation. Make me ambitious to please Thee even if as a result I must sink into obscurity and my name be forgotten as a dream.
Rise, O Lord, into Thy proper place of honor, above my ambitions, above my likes and dislikes, above my family, my health and even my life itself. Let me decrease that Thou mayest increase, let me sink that Thou mayest rise above.
Ride forth upon me as Thou didst ride into Jerusalem mounted upon the humblest little beast, a colt, the foal of an ass, and let me hear the children cry to Thee, Hosanna in the highest."
A question I ask myself often is: What does it look like to be a colt upon whom Christ rides? Do you know someone that after they have been with you and or others, your thoughts are not upon them, but on the things of the Spirit; like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, you say: "Did not our heart burn within us" while they were with us? (Luke 24:32)
Jesus does not want to be just your Lord and Savior, He wants to be your Lord, Savior and Treasure! Will you follow Jesus? Will you submit to His teachings? Will you be His disciple?
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Here is your copy of the Eight Traits to download and use for personal, one-on-one, or small group discipleship.