Text: Matthew 16:24 KJV
Further Reading: Mark 8:34-38
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Matthew 16:24 KJV
MESSAGE
The Lord said in Matthew 16:25 that anyone who loves his life will lose it, but those who lose their lives for His sake will gain it again. Let this sink in, following Christ will require you to take up your cross and follow Him.
The cross is a symbol of death, and for you to truly live for Christ, certain things must die off. Old passions and desires must all be laid at the cross and allowed to die.
Only death can make a man surrender his will and that death must be on the cross. Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ”. No wonder Paul would not flinch in his convictions. Later in his life, he was persuaded that neither life nor death nor anything could separate him from the love of Christ.
The cross is also a symbol of suffering and shame, and those who are Christ’ may also suffer shame for his namesake. The Bible says, For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Philippians 1:29 KJV
Do you know that you are called to suffer for His sake? That is part of the cross you must bear. Are you ready to be persecuted for His name’s sake? I don’t know what form of suffering you are currently enduring for Christ’s sake, but I sure know that it is a prize for following Jesus.
Beloved, do not consider it a strange thing if you suffer injustice and all kinds of malicious attacks from men and the devil. But you can be sure that you have victory in Christ and the end He will bring you to the place of rest.
In the book of Revelation 12:11, the Bible says that only those who did not live their lives unto death overcome the devil. If you must overcome in the end, you must constantly bear the cross of Christ everywhere you go.
REFLECTION
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.
1 Peter 2:21 KJV
Pick up your cross and daily trust the Lord for the grace to finish well and never deny or betray Him.
PRAYER
Father, give the grace never to deny you in the face of suffering and persecution. Please keep me till the end. Amen.
