The Way of the Cross

Jesus told His followers to deny themselves and to daily take up their cross. Jesus had not been crucified on the cross yet. So His followers were not thinking about His crucifixion, but on the cross. The cross was for those convicted and condemned already. They had to carry their cross on the way to their execution. Jesus told them to put Him before anything else, deny themselves and daily take up their cross.

Matthew 10:37-39
“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for My sake will find it.

I have things that get ahead of Jesus. Things like poor habits, anger, pride, overeating, overworking, love of sports, coffee, hunting, my family, and my work, to name a few. You have your own list of things you place ahead of Jesus. I have my cross and you have your cross.

Every day, you and I must deny ourselves and carry our cross every day. That is the way of the cross.

Mark 8:34-38
Then He called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when He comes in His Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

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