Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
Those words are familiar, but they are often misunderstood. People sometimes describe sickness, financial trouble, a difficult relationship, or some other hardship as “their cross to bear.” Those things may certainly be burdens, but that is not primarily what Jesus meant.
When Jesus spoke these words, the cross was not a beautiful religious symbol. It was not worn as jewelry or displayed in churches. It was an instrument of execution used by the Romans to punish, shame and kill condemned men.
When people saw a man carrying a cross through the streets, they knew where he was going. He was going to die. His plans were over. His own will no longer controlled his direction. He was under the authority of another and walking toward death.
Therefore, when Jesus said, ' ” He was not calling people to endure a minor inconvenience. He was calling them to complete surrender.
Taking up the cross is not primarily about Take up his cross, enduring suffering. It is about surrendering self.
Jesus began by saying, “Let him deny himself.” He did not merely say that we should deny ourselves certain things. He said that we must deny self.
That means self no longer has the final word. Our feelings do not rule us. Our pride does not rule us. Our preferences do not rule us. Our desires do not rule us. Jesus Christ becomes Lord over our lives.
The apostle Paul explained the same truth in Galatians 2:20: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.”
Paul was not saying that he had physically died. He was describing a surrendered life. The old Paul had lived for religion, reputation, and personal achievement. After meeting Christ, he could say, “Yet not I, but Christ.”
That is the language of the cross: not my will, but His will; not my glory, but His glory; not my plan, but His plan.
Jesus also said that we must take up the cross “daily.” Surrender is not only a decision we made years ago. It is a choice we must make every day.
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:31, “I die daily.” Every day pride wants attention. Every day the flesh wants its way. Every day the world pressures us to put ourselves first. Every day we must decide who will rule our lives.
Taking up the cross means that pride must die. Bitterness must die. Selfishness must die. Sinful habits must die. The demand to control everything must die.
It also means accepting the will of God. Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, “Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” That is the prayer of a surrendered heart. Sometimes God’s will is difficult.
Sometimes obedience costs us popularity, comfort, opportunities or personal plans. But following Christ means choosing His will even when it differs from ours.
We must also understand that taking up our cross does not save us. We are saved because Jesus carried His cross for us. He died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. Salvation is by grace through faith in Him.
Christ’s cross was for our atonement. Our cross is about our submission. We do not take up our cross to become Christians. We take it up because we belong to Christ.
Jesus said, “Whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” That is the great paradox of the Christian life. The life we surrender to Christ is not wasted. It becomes fruitful, meaningful, and eternally valuable. The world says, “Live for yourself.” Jesus says, “Follow Me.”
The world says, “Protect your life.” Jesus says, “ .”
The world says, “Put yourself first.” Jesus says, “ .”
The life fully surrendered to Jesus Christ is not a life of defeat. It is the only life that is truly free.
Surrender it Deny yourself.” Jimmy Barrett is a resident of Blackshear and pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Waycross.
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