The Daily Nugget- Take Up Your Cross

Hi All

In Matthew 16:24 Jesus told His followers “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”. For a believer this means complete surrender to the ways of Jesus and dying to self. Ultimately, the phrase is a daily mindset where we choose an others-focused lifestyle over a self-focused one. When believers “take up their cross” for Christ's sake and surrender our own desires we are rewarded with finding our true spiritual purpose.

Be Blessed And Encouraged

Take Up Your Cross

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.   25 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

(Matthew 16:24-25)

From a historical point of view to first century people when Jesus said “take up your cross” it was a radical statement because the cross was not a piece of jewellery or a religious symbol NO it was a terrible instrument used for execution.Romans forced convicted criminals to carry their own crosses to the place of their death.

For believers today "taking up your cross" means dying to self, complete surrender to God's will, and following Jesus regardless of personal cost. Based on  Jesus' statement Matthew 16:24, it signifies a daily mindset of choosing obedience to God's plans for our lives and choosing to serve others rather than staying in our own “comfort zones”.