Take Up Your Cross
Preaching
What Jesus Did:
The Answer To WWJD
We come to one of those hard sayings of Jesus about discipleship, "Take up your cross." In chapter 23 we focused on Luke's context of this saying. We focused on counting the cost of being a disciple. Let's look again at the cost of being a real disciple, the cost of taking up your cross and following Jesus.
"If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 16:24-25 NRSV). Matthew records this saying twice, in 10:38 and 16:24. In both cases, Jesus is making a statement about the cost of true discipleship. Being a disciple of Jesus means sacrifice and commitment, but paying that cost also brings inestimable rewards, which Jesus defines here as "life."
• What has been the cost to you for being a disciple of Jesus?
As Matthew 10:34-37 indicates, the cost of discipleship may come in relationships with your family. Disciples of Jesus put Jesus totally first. Family is second. "Whoever loves father, mother, son, or daughter, more than me cannot be my disciple." If you think that sounds harsh, remember Luke's version is, "Whoever does not hate father, mother, son, or daughter, is not worthy of me." Is Jesus saying we must hate our families? I thought he taught us to love one another.
• Are there members in your family who react to your faith with hostility?
Jesus is not making a statement about emotions. He is making a statement about priorities in our lives. For the real disciple, Jesus is first. Family is second. In a day and time when we are hearing about the disintegration of the families, this seems like pouring gasoline on the fire, but families are not disintegrating because of Jesus. Other, more sinister factors are at work. Families are putting everything else first, and not Jesus. That is what is leading to the destruction of the family. Careers have become all important to some people. Families take the back seat. Money has become all important to some people. Families take a back seat. Alcohol and drugs have become important to some people. Families take a back seat. Abuse, abandonment, all of these have destroyed families.
• What other distractions can dilute the effectiveness of the family?
Jesus isn't saying that family isn't important, rather if we really want our families to be strong, united, and harmonious, then Jesus must be first for each member of the family. When Jesus is first, we will obey his commands. His commands are pro-family. "Husbands, love your wives as Christ loves the church. Wives, submit to your husbands as the church submits to Jesus. Children, obey your parents. Parents, don't exasperate your children" (Ephesians 5:22, 25; 6:1, 4 NIV). When Jesus is first in our lives, that is the best way to show our love to our families. Sometimes there will be conflict over religious things. Usually that happens more when one member is committed and another member is not. Keep Jesus first to keep the family intact.
• What action step can you take to keep your family more focused on Jesus?
Then we must take up our cross and follow Jesus. This passage has been misused in Christian thought. We often take it to mean that when there are problems, trials, tribulations, sickness, or illness, that is our cross to bear. I'm not convinced that is the correct interpretation. To understand what Jesus is saying, we need to look at Jesus' cross as the model for our cross.
The first thing I see is that Jesus had a choice about whether or not to take up his cross. Jesus says that no one takes his life without his permission (John 10:17-18). He lays it down voluntarily. He says to Peter that he could have called legions of angels to deliver him at the time of the arrest. Jesus had a choice about whether to take up his cross. When we become sick, or when things cause us problems, or when we go through trials and tribulations, we don't have a choice in those things. More often than not, those situations are thrust upon us against our will. If we had the choice, we would probably choose not to have those problems or illnesses. The cross is something Jesus chose, so it must also be something we choose, not something forced upon us.
So, why did Jesus choose to take up his cross? Because that was God's will. Taking up the cross has to do with being obedient to God's plan for our lives. To be a real disciple of Jesus calls for a radical obedience. This is more than just lip service to the easy commands like don't kill and don't commit adultery. Radical obedience, as Jesus calls for it here, means a willingness to give up our own lives, dreams, goals, and plans, and follow God's plan instead. That is what radical obedience meant for Jesus. He followed God all the way. Jesus chose to do this. How about us? If we would choose this, then we must count the cost.
• How would you define "radical obedience"? How close do you come?
The first cost reminds us that the cross was an instrument of execution and death. Paul says that he had crucified himself with Christ. We must die to self. We must deny ourselves. It is no longer what I want but what God wants that must take precedence. The cross is also a symbol of submission to authority. The Romans made the condemned criminals carry their crosses through the city. This was a reminder that Rome was in charge and a warning to those who would attempt to overthrow the government. For us to take up the cross of Jesus is a reminder that we are under the authority of Jesus Christ. It is an example to others that following Christ is the only way to find true life.
The cross was also a humiliation. If we take up the cross of Jesus, people will mock us. You don't gamble? Why not? You don't drink? Why not? You don't watch these porno movies? Why not? You don't do drugs? Why not? You go to church? Why? You pray? Why? You give money to the church? Why? Being a radical disciple is not popular. But whoever said the right things were popular?
• What kinds of mocking comments have you experienced in your walk with Jesus?
The cross was also an instrument of sacrifice. Jesus willingly gave his life on the cross for our sins. To be a real disciple of Jesus is the call for sacrifice. Paul says in Romans 12:1 that we are to offer ourselves a living sacrifice to God. God will call on us to give up things in our lives and follow his plan, in order that his kingdom will advance.
The cross is also a path to glory. Hebrews 12 says that Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame and also looking ahead to what God had in store for him. In John 12, Jesus prays that the Father will glorify him through the cross. Real disciples know that when we give our all for God, God gets the glory. People will see and know that God is with us. While the cost of carrying the cross is indeed high, the reward is also just as great.
• Have there been times when carrying your cross brought glory to God?
The reward for taking up the cross is life. The paradox is that when we die to self, we find true life. When we find true life, we find our true selves as we were meant to be, created by God and renewed in Jesus. Jesus tells us that if we try to preserve our lives, we will lose them. (This is not a stab at the current health and fitness fads.) Jesus is saying that if we live for ourselves, we eventually lose all we have.
The statement in Matthew 16 is even more to the point. "What will it profit you if you gain the whole world but lose your eternal soul?" I wonder how many pledge cards and offering envelopes represent people trying to gain the whole world by shortchanging God in the offering plate. What will you really gain? $1,000? Maybe $2,000? Is that worth what you risk forfeiting? Radical obedience has definite implications for our giving habits. If the cross is a call for death to self, a call to sacrifice, then that should certainly be represented in our giving. It is no longer what do I want, but what does God want.
When we take up our cross and become real disciples, we find life, and life more abundantly. Life to the full. Life with God. That is the reward of losing our lives for Jesus' sake. We can remember what Jesus has done for us and be thankful. We can be thankful for Jesus who died on the cross for our sins. We can be thankful for family and remind ourselves that the best way to love our loved ones is to love Jesus most of all. We can be thankful for the cross that Jesus calls us to bear. While the cost is high, we don't carry our cross alone like Jesus did. Jesus helps us all the way. We can be thankful for the reward of carrying our cross -- life and life eternal. Do you want to be a real disciple of Jesus? Then take up your cross, with all its costs and rewards, and follow Jesus.
WWJD -- Find an area in your life where you need to take up your cross in radical obedience.
"If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 16:24-25 NRSV). Matthew records this saying twice, in 10:38 and 16:24. In both cases, Jesus is making a statement about the cost of true discipleship. Being a disciple of Jesus means sacrifice and commitment, but paying that cost also brings inestimable rewards, which Jesus defines here as "life."
• What has been the cost to you for being a disciple of Jesus?
As Matthew 10:34-37 indicates, the cost of discipleship may come in relationships with your family. Disciples of Jesus put Jesus totally first. Family is second. "Whoever loves father, mother, son, or daughter, more than me cannot be my disciple." If you think that sounds harsh, remember Luke's version is, "Whoever does not hate father, mother, son, or daughter, is not worthy of me." Is Jesus saying we must hate our families? I thought he taught us to love one another.
• Are there members in your family who react to your faith with hostility?
Jesus is not making a statement about emotions. He is making a statement about priorities in our lives. For the real disciple, Jesus is first. Family is second. In a day and time when we are hearing about the disintegration of the families, this seems like pouring gasoline on the fire, but families are not disintegrating because of Jesus. Other, more sinister factors are at work. Families are putting everything else first, and not Jesus. That is what is leading to the destruction of the family. Careers have become all important to some people. Families take the back seat. Money has become all important to some people. Families take a back seat. Alcohol and drugs have become important to some people. Families take a back seat. Abuse, abandonment, all of these have destroyed families.
• What other distractions can dilute the effectiveness of the family?
Jesus isn't saying that family isn't important, rather if we really want our families to be strong, united, and harmonious, then Jesus must be first for each member of the family. When Jesus is first, we will obey his commands. His commands are pro-family. "Husbands, love your wives as Christ loves the church. Wives, submit to your husbands as the church submits to Jesus. Children, obey your parents. Parents, don't exasperate your children" (Ephesians 5:22, 25; 6:1, 4 NIV). When Jesus is first in our lives, that is the best way to show our love to our families. Sometimes there will be conflict over religious things. Usually that happens more when one member is committed and another member is not. Keep Jesus first to keep the family intact.
• What action step can you take to keep your family more focused on Jesus?
Then we must take up our cross and follow Jesus. This passage has been misused in Christian thought. We often take it to mean that when there are problems, trials, tribulations, sickness, or illness, that is our cross to bear. I'm not convinced that is the correct interpretation. To understand what Jesus is saying, we need to look at Jesus' cross as the model for our cross.
The first thing I see is that Jesus had a choice about whether or not to take up his cross. Jesus says that no one takes his life without his permission (John 10:17-18). He lays it down voluntarily. He says to Peter that he could have called legions of angels to deliver him at the time of the arrest. Jesus had a choice about whether to take up his cross. When we become sick, or when things cause us problems, or when we go through trials and tribulations, we don't have a choice in those things. More often than not, those situations are thrust upon us against our will. If we had the choice, we would probably choose not to have those problems or illnesses. The cross is something Jesus chose, so it must also be something we choose, not something forced upon us.
So, why did Jesus choose to take up his cross? Because that was God's will. Taking up the cross has to do with being obedient to God's plan for our lives. To be a real disciple of Jesus calls for a radical obedience. This is more than just lip service to the easy commands like don't kill and don't commit adultery. Radical obedience, as Jesus calls for it here, means a willingness to give up our own lives, dreams, goals, and plans, and follow God's plan instead. That is what radical obedience meant for Jesus. He followed God all the way. Jesus chose to do this. How about us? If we would choose this, then we must count the cost.
• How would you define "radical obedience"? How close do you come?
The first cost reminds us that the cross was an instrument of execution and death. Paul says that he had crucified himself with Christ. We must die to self. We must deny ourselves. It is no longer what I want but what God wants that must take precedence. The cross is also a symbol of submission to authority. The Romans made the condemned criminals carry their crosses through the city. This was a reminder that Rome was in charge and a warning to those who would attempt to overthrow the government. For us to take up the cross of Jesus is a reminder that we are under the authority of Jesus Christ. It is an example to others that following Christ is the only way to find true life.
The cross was also a humiliation. If we take up the cross of Jesus, people will mock us. You don't gamble? Why not? You don't drink? Why not? You don't watch these porno movies? Why not? You don't do drugs? Why not? You go to church? Why? You pray? Why? You give money to the church? Why? Being a radical disciple is not popular. But whoever said the right things were popular?
• What kinds of mocking comments have you experienced in your walk with Jesus?
The cross was also an instrument of sacrifice. Jesus willingly gave his life on the cross for our sins. To be a real disciple of Jesus is the call for sacrifice. Paul says in Romans 12:1 that we are to offer ourselves a living sacrifice to God. God will call on us to give up things in our lives and follow his plan, in order that his kingdom will advance.
The cross is also a path to glory. Hebrews 12 says that Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame and also looking ahead to what God had in store for him. In John 12, Jesus prays that the Father will glorify him through the cross. Real disciples know that when we give our all for God, God gets the glory. People will see and know that God is with us. While the cost of carrying the cross is indeed high, the reward is also just as great.
• Have there been times when carrying your cross brought glory to God?
The reward for taking up the cross is life. The paradox is that when we die to self, we find true life. When we find true life, we find our true selves as we were meant to be, created by God and renewed in Jesus. Jesus tells us that if we try to preserve our lives, we will lose them. (This is not a stab at the current health and fitness fads.) Jesus is saying that if we live for ourselves, we eventually lose all we have.
The statement in Matthew 16 is even more to the point. "What will it profit you if you gain the whole world but lose your eternal soul?" I wonder how many pledge cards and offering envelopes represent people trying to gain the whole world by shortchanging God in the offering plate. What will you really gain? $1,000? Maybe $2,000? Is that worth what you risk forfeiting? Radical obedience has definite implications for our giving habits. If the cross is a call for death to self, a call to sacrifice, then that should certainly be represented in our giving. It is no longer what do I want, but what does God want.
When we take up our cross and become real disciples, we find life, and life more abundantly. Life to the full. Life with God. That is the reward of losing our lives for Jesus' sake. We can remember what Jesus has done for us and be thankful. We can be thankful for Jesus who died on the cross for our sins. We can be thankful for family and remind ourselves that the best way to love our loved ones is to love Jesus most of all. We can be thankful for the cross that Jesus calls us to bear. While the cost is high, we don't carry our cross alone like Jesus did. Jesus helps us all the way. We can be thankful for the reward of carrying our cross -- life and life eternal. Do you want to be a real disciple of Jesus? Then take up your cross, with all its costs and rewards, and follow Jesus.
WWJD -- Find an area in your life where you need to take up your cross in radical obedience.
