Matthew 11:28-30. The cross - it is so much more than a piece of jewelry, a work of art, or a decoration on a steeple. Worship him as you carry your cross with dignity and determination. Join over 250,000 others to get the top stories curated daily, plus special offers! He calls us to do the same. Luke 9:23 . Your friends can’t understand what’s happened to you, but that’s because they’re still blinded by the god of this world (2nd Cor 4:3-4), and they haven’t yet been quickened by the Spirit of God (Eph 2:1-5), but if we are not willing to die to ourselves and live for Christ, then it’s going to be exceedingly difficult to take up our cross. "Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and … Questions Covered: 15:56 - What is a practice approach to offering up your cross? This is a condition of discipleship. Whatever He wants with my life is what must be done with it. The words "take up his cross," which the disciples had heard before (see Note on Matthew 10:38), were now clothed with a new and more distinct meaning, by the words that spoke so clearly of the death of which the cross was to be the instrument. Things like losing our life and losing our soul are at stake (Matthew 16:25-26). "Take my yoke upon you...for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Used within the context of the imagery of taking up the cross and following Jesus, "denying oneself" conveys the sense of a person disassociating himself from his self interest to serve a higher purpose. What did Jesus mean when He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me”? As Father Martin puts it, this means accepting that God is greater than the human imagination. There is no other way. (Luke 9:23, 24) Only one entrance may be found to the Kingdom of God. What is self-denial? The Greek term "aparneomai", translated in English as "deny" has the meaning to "disown" or "renounce." He gives you the strength and courage to take up your cross and move forward in grace. What Jesus was telling them is that they needed to put to death their own plans and desires, and then turn their lives over to Him and do His will every day. The fact that we must take up our cross daily means that we must lift that crossbeam every morning and crucify our carnal nature up until we go to sleep. "Take my yoke upon you...for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." This concept of “cross-bearing” today has lost much of its original meaning. Let’s take a second glance at the context. Any person that gives up his life for me will find true life." Our suffering is not a tribute to Jesus unless we endure it because we cherish Jesus. To “take up my cross” is something that takes place in my mind. Taking up our cross means Jesus has become more precious to us than approval, honor, comfort, and life. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? cross definition: 1. to go across from one side of something to the other: 2. The term “bearing your cross” is a call to take up your cross daily. Therefore, when people carry their own crosses, they are dealing with their own burdens. Jesus’ disciples must have been shocked when He told them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matt 15:24). Follow Him: A 35-Day Call to Live for Christ No Matter the Cost by David Platt. What does it mean to take up your cross? For most of us, that kind of cost Paul paid for following Christ isn’t anything we can conceive of. Jesus' followers regard the reward as worth the price. Actually, take up your cross is a Hebrew idiom. The word translated in Mark 8:34 and Mark 10:21 as "take up", is (ἀράτω) airo, which is often used by Jesus to mean "remove" and is frequently translated that way in the Gospels. Take Up Your Cross Walter Chantry "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. In the Aramaic Peshitta, the words used for “take up his cross” are oon’sh’qool z’kifa. Our whole life is given to His service in anything He says. The following is an excerpt from The MacArthur New Testament Commentary on Matthew 16. Taking up your cross daily has a much deeper meaning, and as you meditate on God’s Word, He will reveal it to you. Regardless of where you have been, what you have done, or what you haven’t done, trust God. Cross to bear definition is - a problem that causes trouble or worry for someone over a long period of time. Matthew Leonard explores the Catholic understanding of suffering. To “take up your cross” is something that has to take place in your thoughts. But what does the idea of “taking up your cross” mean for us today? found this helpful. What cross does Jesus want us to bear? The term “bearing your cross” is a call to take up your cross daily. Dr. Stanley responds to a question about the way of the cross - that path of denial and self-surrender that Christ calls His followers to take. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. “Take up your cross” has lost some of the power of its original meaning. We find this Bible phrase within the books of the gospel as a teaching of Jesus. #3 “must deny themselves and take up their cross…” This must have been an enigmatic statement to them since Jesus had yet to die on the cross. He said to them, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). found this helpful. But to deny oneself is tricky business. Rather than complaining big about it just accept the burden and move forward. What did Jesus mean when He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me”? As these thoughts come up in your mind, you choose to deny them. While the phrase is commonly understood to mean acceptance of some burdensome task, the command to take up the cross is much more than a symbol of the difficulties experienced by humanity. Therefore, when people carry their own crosses, they are dealing with their own burdens. Carry Your Cross Meaning. Luke 9:1-62 ESV / 36 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. Believe in him. This is called “dying to self.” It’s a call to absolute surrender. Christian Truth. The cross that Jesus suffered and died on was a very big cross. Any person that loves his life {more than he loves me} will lose true life. It's parallel in meaning to "deny [your]self." Jesus knew that He had come to “take up His cross” and follow the will of His Heavenly Father. You simply need to deny yourself, endure torture, and die to self. We will belong to God, not to our things, position, reputation, or comfort. Becca Stevens is an author, speaker, Episcopal priest, justice entrepreneur, and founder and president of Thistle Farms (Nashville, TN). Any person, whether a follower of Jesus or not, will suffer frustration and pain in this life. What does it mean to deny yourself? There is a sense in which Christians must give their lives to God every day. Thistle Farms is the largest social enterprise in the U.S. led by survivors of prostitution, addiction, and trafficking. 'Take Up the Cross' — Matthew 10:38-39. A cross is something you willingly take up. To carry your cross is to be open to surprise. In the Bible, Jesus carried a cross that has come to be symbolic of the world’s problems. What does it mean to take up your cross and follow Jesus? What did Jesus mean when He said 'Let the dead bury the dead' (Luke 9:60)? What does it look like? That is your portfolio as a Christ follower. 24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Taking up our cross to follow Christ means, simply, commitment to the point of giving up our hopes, dreams, possessions, even our very life if need be. Key Thought. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? He calls us to do the same. Take Up Your Cross: The risen Christ and daily life Other Christians may focus more on, say, the Incarnation—how God became human, how God understands us in the most intimate way possible. Additionally, for those who feel bitter, angry, offended, or chained to sorrows for something you feel is undeserved, to take up one’s cross and follow the Savior means to strive to lay aside these feelings and turn to the Lord so He can free us from this state of mind and help us to find peace. Mandy, I hope this answers your question and gives you insight into how we take up our cross daily and follow Christ at any price. The Lord’s message to us is “Take up your cross.” Take yourself the way you are, and lift yourself in the direction of the better. But of course this is just a small cross. Ultimately, what “taking up your cross” meant for Christ and many of his followers was what Paul describes in Acts 20:24: making God’s goal their goal, despite the cost. It also means that those of us who want to be his followers must also be willing to take up our cross, give up everything, and follow him. When thoughts that aren’t pleasing to God come to your mind during the day, you “put them to death” on an inner “cross.” A judging thought toward your friend crops up, for example, or perhaps a grumbling thought of dissatisfaction for what you have to do today. What does it mean to ‘count the cost’ (Luke 14:28)? Jesus willingly laid down His life. to bear troubles and afflictions with patience from love to Christ. No one could hang on a cross and live. Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus. Is sickness a cross? Definition: To deal with your burdens and problems. Jesus and his early disciples didn’t consider their own lives more important than testifying to the gospel. When Jesus took up his cross, he carried the instrument of his death. What does Jesus mean when he commands us to take up our cross each day and follow? He has been on … Taking up one's cross and following Jesus is something completely different. How to use cross to bear in a sentence. After suffering for a period of time, death finally came. You do this by saying no to sin and self, and yes to Christ. To take up the cross synonyms, To take up the cross pronunciation, To take up the cross translation, English dictionary definition of To take up the cross. If we learn to sacrifice our selves to God, we won't fret about sacrificing our things. This is a condition of discipleship. Jesus willingly laid down His life. This involves bearing burdens, but it is deeper than that. 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Rather it means a rod. Notice how badly the meaning of "remove your cross" works and how well "remove a stake" works. Part of the idiom implies that one should not be greedy and self focused. The word translated as cross does not mean cross. Sometimes, people use this phrase … More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! — Matthew 10:38-39 NLT. What did Paul mean when he said, “I die daily” in 1 Corinthians 15:31. Learn more. To take up your cross doesn't mean to accept a specific burden from God. Both quorums of twelve were likewise invited. If you look at the lives of people like Abraham, Elisha, King David, Jeremiah, Samson, among others, they left behind the familiar to pursue God’s dream for them. Copyright 2011-2021 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved. It doesn’t involve making a click; it involves taking up a cross. 24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. The season of taking up your cross has a beginning and an end, but the joy and peace from the Lord lasts forever. In the Bible, Jesus carried a cross that has come to be symbolic of the world’s problems. This is the attitude – the only acceptable attitude – of a true disciple ( Luke 14:27 ). Take Up Your Cross Daily. He said to them, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). In Jesus’ day, a cross wasn’t just a symbol of pain and suffering; it was mainly a symbol of death. Bible verses about Take Up Your Cross. Take it Up. And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. In what ways should Christians be prepared to step outside their comfort zone? Question: "What does it mean to deny yourself? Luke 9:23 And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Immediately prior to this Jesus had asked the disciples who the people thought he was and then asked them who they thought he was. While the phrase is commonly understood to mean acceptance of some burdensome task, the command to take up the cross is much more than a symbol of the difficulties experienced by humanity. However, a cross is not something that is forced upon you, over which you have no choice. The following is an excerpt from The MacArthur New Testament Commentary on Matthew 16. The word came to mean “rod” because Z’KAF, in addition to meaning “to stand” means “to lift up” or “to take up (as in one’s hand).” A cudgel or rod was one of the primary tools of the shepherd. Denying yourself is an essential part of the Christian life. Then the next morning we rise and shoulder afresh those things we have to bear, crucifying the flesh again. The phrase "a cross to bear" is a popular derivation of the words of Jesus: "Take up your cross and follow Me." To take up his cross was to do difficult things as an instrument in the hands of God. This is not necessarily a physical death as Jesus died for us (though such might be required), but a daily total sacrifice of self to do the will of Jesus. Therefore, “ Take up your cross and follow Me ” means being willing to die in order to follow Jesus. Take up your cross, and by the power of the Spirit of God you will soon be so in love with it that like Moses you would not exchange the reproach of Christ for all the treasures of Egypt. Matthew 16:24-26 New International Version (NIV). There will be inconveniences and pains in life as a result of following Jesus. Both our strengths and our weaknesses are part of us; but Jesus calls us to deny "our selves""”our ego power"”and to carry around our weakness. ACTION POINT: Your cross is when you willingly die to yourself. What does it mean to take up your cross and follow Jesus? ACTION POINT: Your cross is when you willingly die to yourself. Typically, we use “cross-bearing” to denote an inconvenient or bothersome circumstance (e.g., “my troubled teen is my cross to bear”). 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Anything we can conceive of when Jesus took up his cross was a willful participant in giving life... 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