What Does It Mean To Take Up Our Cross?

# 511 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:34b “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Jesus says there are three things that His disciples must allow for. They must (1) deny themselves, (2) take up their cross, and (3) follow Him. So what does it mean to “take up our cross?”

The cross was a painful method of execution that became associated with the Romans. When a Roman criminal picked up his cross, he began a painful struggle on his way to death. When a Christian picks up his cross, he too embarks on a painful struggle that will only end, when His Lord calls him home.

Now, all humans have struggles, pain, and sorrow. Ps 32:10 says, “Many are the sorrows of the wicked,” but the painful struggles of the Christian are all brought upon him BECAUSE of his attachment to Christ. These painful struggles can be as extreme as a tortuous death at the hands of persecutors to wrestling with besetting sins, or even finding time for a daily devotional.

None of these struggles would be present in your life if you weren't attached to Christ. As Paul struggled with the painful thorn in his flesh on his way to the grave, (a cross he was given to take up) God promised him that His grace would be enough to deal with the painful struggle.

“And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” ( 2Co 12:9)

Father, I pray for those struggling with their crosses today. Give them the grace and the power of Christ necessary to persevere.