TAKE UP YOUR CROSS

 

Thursday, February 20, 2025

 

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS

 

Heb 13:12-13

12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

 

Matt 16:24-26

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

 

          All three of the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) records Jesus saying: “If any man will come after (or follow) me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross.” Luke adds the word “daily.” Following Jesus is not for wimps but risk takers.

 

1. The Cross is PERSONAL!

 

It is YOUR cross. The cross of discipleship and service is not some naturally occurring inconvenience. It is more than a rainy day that spoils a picnic. My cross is so personal that nobody else can carry it.

 

2. The Cross is REDEMPTIVE!

 

I believe that ministry does not happen unless the minister suffers some kind of loss so that the recipient can enjoy some kind of gain. Jesus’ cross redeemed the sinner, but Jesus was without sin. The one hanging on the cross suffered loss so that we might gain.

 

2 Cor 8:9

9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

 

3. The Cross is an INVESTMENT!

 

Mark 8:35-36

35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

 

Those who are overly protective of this earthly life will ultimately lose it anyway. Those who recklessly invest their earthly life to do ministry will not lack life. Those who hoard earthly stuff will ultimately lose it but those who lay up treasure in heaven will never lose their investment.

 

Matt 6:19-21

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

 

Dear Lord, I don’t have much, but it all belongs to you. Use both me and my stuff to make gains for your kingdom. AMEN