What Does It Mean To Take Up Your Cross?
Understanding the Call: "Take Up Your Cross"
Few sayings of Jesus are as challenging and profound as His call to “take up your cross.” This phrase, found in the Gospels, invites every follower of Christ to a life of self-denial, devotion, and transformation. But what does it truly mean? Let's dig deep into Scripture to explore the meaning, cost, and hope embedded in Jesus’ command.
The Words of Jesus
And he said unto all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. - Luke 9:23 ASV
In this pivotal passage, Jesus lays out the requirements for anyone who wishes to follow Him: self-denial, cross-bearing, and following. The imagery of "taking up your cross" would have been shocking to His original audience. The cross was a symbol of shame, suffering, and execution in the Roman world. Jesus was not calling for minor inconveniences, but for a willingness to face the ultimate cost for the sake of following Him.
Self-Denial: The Heart of Discipleship
To deny oneself means to say “no” to selfish desires, ambitions, and even personal rights. It is a call to put Christ and His will above our own. This echoes Paul’s teaching:
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me... - Galatians 2:20 ASV
Here, Paul describes the Christian life as one where the old self has been put to death, and Christ now lives in and through the believer. This is not a one-time event, but a daily commitment, as Jesus says: “take up his cross daily.”
The Cost and the Promise
Taking up your cross means being willing to endure hardship, persecution, or even death for the sake of Jesus. Jesus Himself set the example, enduring the cross for our salvation (Philippians 2:8 ASV). Yet, this call comes with a promise:
For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's shall save it. - Mark 8:35 ASV
Paradoxically, true life is found not in self-preservation but in surrender to Christ. The cross, a symbol of death, becomes the doorway to new life and genuine freedom. This is the heart of the gospel: salvation by grace through faith in Jesus, who bore the cross for us.
Misunderstandings and Clarifications
It is important to note that “taking up your cross” does not refer to bearing everyday difficulties or annoyances (“my cross to bear”). Instead, it specifically means identifying with Jesus, being willing to suffer for His sake, and placing His lordship above all else (Philippians 1:29 ASV).
Hope and Transformation
While the cross entails suffering, it also leads to glory. Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame, “and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2 ASV). For believers, taking up the cross is the path to becoming like Christ, experiencing His resurrection power, and living for His eternal purposes.
Conclusion
To take up your cross is to lay down your life, ambitions, and reputation for the sake of Jesus, trusting that He is worth it all. It is a daily, sometimes costly, but always rewarding journey, empowered by the grace of God. The call is challenging, but it is also filled with hope—because following Jesus leads to true life, now and forever.