To follow Christ as His disciple means stepping into a life
that goes far beyond simply enjoying His blessings. It’s a life of total
surrender, one where we die to self and devote ourselves entirely to Him. When
Jesus calls us to “bear our own cross” in verse 27, He invites us into profound
personal surrender.
In Roman times, the cross was not a mere metaphor for
challenges but a grim symbol of death. Jesus wasn’t offering an easy or
comfortable path but rather one that demands daily sacrifices—releasing our
desires, ambitions, our comfort, our pleasure, and even our reputations to
serve His kingdom. To bear our cross means to acknowledge His Lordship over
every part of our lives.
Some interpret this call as enduring personal struggles or
weaknesses, but Jesus’ words go even deeper. The “cross” He spoke of wasn’t
just about carrying life’s difficulties—it was a call to lay everything down,
even to the point of personal cost. It’s a radical invitation to die to self
and live wholly and exclusively for Him, regardless of the sacrifices,
suffering, or rejection it may involve. At its heart, this means that to live,
we must die. True life—life rich with meaning, purpose, and eternal
fulfillment—is only found when we willingly lay down our own desires,
ambitions, and self-focused pursuits.
This challenge from Jesus confronts the priorities of our
hearts. "Dying to live" means choosing to relinquish control over our
lives, letting go of our personal plans and comforts, and entrusting them to
Jesus. It’s not just about the loss—it’s about gaining something far greater.
When we “die” to our old way of living, we become alive in Christ, rooted in
His purpose and empowered by His Spirit.
So today, ask yourself—what “cross” is Jesus asking you to carry? Perhaps He’s calling you to forgive someone who has wronged you, let go of a personal ambition, endure rejection for your faith, or even leave behind a career to follow Him into missions or ministry. Whatever it may be, surrender it to Him, trusting that He will lead you to eternal reward. Don’t take lightly His words, that those who refuse to take up their cross cannot be His disciple.
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