Thursday, 2 March 2017

Luke 9 “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Every time that Jesus predicts his own death on the cross he follows that with another teaching. Every time he says “I have a cross to bear” he follows that by saying “Every one of my disciples has a cross to bear as well.” As Jesus’ cross is the center of the Christian faith. The disciple’s cross is the center of the Christian life. You have a cross that you must bear. A cross means pain. A cross means suffering. A cross means self-sacrifice and self-denial. A cross means rejection and hatred. A cross means being shamed and humbled before the world. A cross means obedience. Suffering for Jesus. Jesus is telling us that obedience means suffering and sacrifice and rejection. Do you have such crosses in your life? Or are you running from your cross? Are you refusing to take up your cross? Notice one little word in Jesus’ statement. Take up your cross DAILY. This means this is not for special occasions. This is not for momentous seasons. This is every single common day. This is a obedience you take up anew each day. But because of Jesus’ cross. Because on his cross he purchased us for God. our suffering obedience has eternal value and worth. Our everyday lives, our painful and humble lives, that are not impressive to others can have great meaning to God. Eternal significance. You can live an important life in Jesus even when no person knows.