Carry your Cross and Follow Me
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
Matthew 16:24 – 25
We may commonly associate self-denial with forgoing material pleasures like luxury clothing and gourmet food, but Jesus’ message of self-denial transcends these superficial desires and instead emphasizes the spiritual sacrifice of denying oneself. He lived as an example during His earthly life and showed us how to deny ourselves and carry our cross.
As the Son of God, Jesus relinquished his place, his glory, and everything he had to become human, in order to restore humanity. He willingly accepted the fact that he would have to suffer and die on the cross for the redemption of all. Despite living a mortal life as a human, he remained sinless. All the injustices inflicted upon him were undeserved, yet he accepted them all without uttering a single complaint or expressing any resentment.
Isa 53:7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
Jesus was crucified on the cross, hung between two thieves, which was seen by many as a sign of curse. Nonetheless, Jesus offered himself as the perfect and spotless lamb of God, making the ultimate sacrifice to atone for the sins of humanity. However, his suffering and death were not in vain, as he rose again on the third day. He is currently seated at the right hand of God the Father, reigning over all creation.
Heb 12:2 For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Despite being treated unjustly, Jesus did not attempt to save his own life. He accepted everything that his Father had allowed to transpire in his life, and was willing to forfeit everything, even his life itself. It is through this sacrifice that Jesus has found eternal life and now reigns over us, seated at the right hand of God the Father.
As followers of Jesus, we may also find ourselves in situations where we are treated unjustly by others, though perhaps to a lesser degree than Jesus was. Nevertheless, Jesus calls us to humbly carry our cross regardless of our status or position, just as he did. As believers, we should recognize that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against Satan’s kingdom. By forgiving those who harm us, enduring our suffering without complaint, and offering it as a sacrifice to the Lord, we can be assured that our sufferings will not be in vain. In fact, they can even lead to the salvation of the soul of the person causing us hardship
John 20:23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.
On top of saving a soul, we gain extraordinary power and authority over Satan, just as Jesus did. As we deny ourselves and die with Christ by taking our cross, we are also resurrected with Him and reign with Him.
2 Timothy 2:11–12 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you with gratitude in our hearts for the ultimate sacrifice made by your son Jesus Christ. We pray that we may follow His example of denying ourselves and carrying our cross every day. Help us to remain humble and submissive to your will, even in the face of unjust treatment. Give us the strength and courage to endure our sufferings and offer them up as a sacrifice to you. We ask for your guidance and wisdom to discern the path you have set for us and to walk in it faithfully. Thank you for your love and mercy. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
Sol. Edvitta