And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.  For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?  For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
(Luke 9:23-26)

To take up our cross is to suffer for the sake of being true to Christ (Luke 9:22, 24).   It is to enter into fellowship with Christ’s suffering (Philippians 3:10). As we bear our cross, however, we will never suffer all the bitterness, pain and agony that Christ suffered to secure our salvation.  The suffering of Christ was unique and cannot be repeated.   He suffered the judgment and rejection of God, so that we should no more be rejection by God. To be sure, we may suffer rejection, but at the hands of men, and we may not be innocent in our suffering. But our Lord suffered for sins once for all, the just for the unjust that he might bring us back to God (1 Peter 3:18).
 

No matter how intense our suffering may be, it can make no contribution, whatsoever, to our reconciliation with God. Our reconciliation rests on the finished work of God in Christ and, for that matter, does not need to be augmented by our suffering.   Our cross intercrosses, however, with Jesus’ cross, and there is no escaping of suffering for the Christian. It is through much tribulation we must enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).
 

Suffering will come, even though it is not sought. As followers of Christ, it is inevitable that we suffer. The cross is serviceable to our sanctification (2 Thess. 2:13).   Peter says, ‘Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though some thing strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings, and that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.  If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed,…” (1 Pet. 4:12-14).  Moreover, the cross keeps us humble. Without it, we would probably feel that we could live the Christian life on our own strength. The cross keeps us from proud confidence and looking to God.
 

Taking up our cross and following Christ is a matter of bearing witness to Christ and to our existence as Children of God. Moreover, it points to the future revelation of the glory of the Lord. As we bear our cross, we find ourselves longing and praying for the hastening and coming of the day of the Lord (2 Peter 3:12). Bearing our cross helps us to remember this truth and encourages and comforts us, as we wait for that glorious day.
 

In this light, let us take up our cross and follow Christ. It will strengthen our faith and obedience in love. From the suffering that will come to us, in different forms and more than once, we will emerge stronger than we were before.   Even our Lord had to learn obedience through suffering (He. 5:8). He subjected Himself to suffering for our sakes. As we are disdained to be conformed to His image, we cannot be exempted from suffering ourselves (Ro. 8:29). It is God’s rule that His children learn obedience through suffering. The Lord chastens those whom He loves, and not one of those whom He loves is yet to be found who does not deserve it (He. 12:6). Bearing our cross will renew our gratitude and strengthen our assurance of salvation.
 

Whatever the cross you are called bear, whether it is a headache, some terminal sickness, poverty, living with an unsaved spouse, raising rebellious children single handedly, persecution, or the loss of a love one, it is not unfair but just. If we think otherwise, we will resist God’s providential dealings with us for our sanctification and salvation.
 

May God give us the grace to yield in recognition of His wisdom and to rejoice, in so far as we share Christ’s sufferings! Says our Lord Jesus Christ, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whosoever would save his life will lose it; and whosoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it”

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