Grace Awakening

Matt 16:24

It is one thing to deny oneself.  It is something that we can do internally.  No one has to see the self denial.  But, now the personal and private has to become public?  No way!

Matt 16:24

It is one thing to deny oneself.  It is something that we can do internally.  No one has to see the self denial.  But, now the personal and private has to become public?  No way!

The mode of crucifixion for the Romans was meant to be public.  It is how they controlled the population they subjugated.  Get out of line, and the Romans would nail you to a cross for everyone to see what happens to rebels.  To add insult to injury, the condemned often carried the cross to the place of crucifixion.  It was not an easy task to carry the heavy cross beam through the streets.

Here it is that Jesus, talking to those who would be His followers, is telling these people that the cost of discipleship was hard work and humiliation.  It is easy to make private decisions about our relationship with Christ.  What is difficult is taking the steps to publicly show our relationship with Jesus Christ.

The radical nature of the Cross is such that it demands radical changes in a person’s life.  Jesus combated the “norm” of religion in His day, teaching that radically different means of relating to God.  The Pharisees taught keeping the Law and other “stuff” to have a relationship with God.  Jesus taught that the only way to have a relationship with God was through Himself.  The Pharisees taught that if one wanted to be spiritual they had to do what the Pharisees did – living the Law by their own strength.  Jesus taught self denial and dependence on God.

When the condemned carried the cross, his way was not his own desire.  When we carry our cross, it cannot be our own way or our own will.  The road the disciple of Christ must walk is deliberate and open for the eyes of others to see.  To carry our Cross identifies us with the Crucified One.  To carry our Cross sets in our mind that we no longer walk our own way – according to the fleshly desires.  To carry our Cross reminds us of our personal submission to Jesus Christ.

We must stop trying to do it our way.  Surrender to the flesh and carry your cross.