“Then he said to them all, ‘If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it.’”
When we hear the phrase “take up your cross,” we most likely interpret it as: “follow the example and teachings of Jesus.” And while that is not an incorrect understanding of the broad message, this passage forces modern readers to consider what these words would have meant to the original audience. To a first-century listener, this would have sounded like: “Prepare yourself for a long, excruciating death, and follow me.”
We have the benefit of reading this story after the rising action of Jesus’ ministry has been completed, after the climactic scene of his crucifixion, and after his dramatic return from the grave. But when Jesus spoke the words in Luke chapter 9, his contemporaries, even those who believed he was the son of God, did not yet know his method of death, or that he was going to be killed at all. Even so, Jesus called them to look ahead, to the promise of eternal life, and be willing to give anything in order to gain everything.
He told them eternal life outweighed death, even death on a cross.
Then he proved it.
Jesus denied himself. He took up his cross on the day of days, and forged a path through the valley of the shadow of death into eternal life. We cannot save ourselves, but there is one who can, and all he requires is that we follow him.
So today, in light of his victory and example, keep your eyes set on Jesus, and your mind full of his promise of eternal life.
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