My Cross

July 28, 2010 in Prayer/Faith with 4 Comments

Jesus asks us to take up our own Cross daily.

[23] Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. [24] For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. [25] What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?

That’s scary.  Every day, I need to deny myself and take up my cross? That’s not pleasant at all.  I have to deny my urge to drink, to be angry, to lust, to…. well, do anything besides give glory to God!  That’s a tall order!  How on earth can each man take up his own cross?

I think about Jesus carrying His cross.  I think about people shouting at him, spitting on him, hitting him.  Humiliated, bleeding, hurt, He drags His cross as far as He possibly can.  This is where things get interesting.  Jesus couldn’t go any farther.  He could not go forward.  Jesus did not ask anyone for help.  No one offered.  That’s where Simon comes in.  He didn’t come running to help either.  It wasn’t a sign of mercy or compassion.  He was ordered to do so.  He was ordered to help Jesus Christ carry his cross.

Why do I say all of that?  I guess my point is, there will come a point in my life where I absolutely, cannot lift up my cross.  I am going to need a ‘Simon’.  I think we all are.  Regardless of if Simon offered the help, or if Jesus asked for the help, because honestly, I don’t have those answers.  I do think this offers a glimpse of what the Kingdom of God is like. Where a man will bear the cross for another.

Who are my Simons?  I think it’s pretty clear that if Jesus couldn’t bear His cross, (Physically) then there is no way on Earth any of us will be able to bear ours.  Who do I have in my life to help me bear mine?  Who can I help bear theirs?

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  • http://www.whatsthislifefor.posterous.com PastorT

    We don't offer to carry the cross of someone else, partly, because we can't even carry our own. They're heavy! But if enough people offer to “help”, the burden isn't so great…..and we're, again, back to community.

  • Andrea

    This is why he died. I don't know if we have the cross to bear so much, or that just in our unwillingness to surrender all to Him we can't accept his grace that would take it from us? Interesting to think about. As far as our struggles and pains, it is so important (for me especially) to be willing and open to be engaged with others in community so that I can receive help…well, because….I have a hard time asking for it.

  • http://www.crucialencounter.com Andy

    That probably makes us a really good couple… that never asks for help. .. .. :)