Today the cross is an accepted symbol of love and sacrifice. But in Jesus' day the cross was a horrible means of capital punishment. The Romans would not mention the cross in polite society. In fact, no Roman citizen could be crucified; this terrible death was reserved for Rome's enemies.
Jesus stated that He would be crucified (Matthew 20:17-19). Many of His teachings emphasized the cross. He presented to His disciples two approaches to life:
. deny yourself or live for yourself;
. take up your cross or ignore the Cross;
. follow Christ or follow the world;
. lose your life for His sake or save your life for your own sake;
. forsake the world or gain the world;
. keep your soul or lose your soul;
. share His reward and glory or lose His reward and glory.
A challenge: "And He said to them all, 'if any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me' " (Luke 9:23).
Consider also: Romans 12:2; Philippians 3:7-10; Galatians 2:20.
Action assignment: If you haven't made a forthright commitment as outlined in Romans 12:1-2, perhaps this is the time to do it.
W. Wiersbe
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