Take Up Your Cross

Matthew 16:21–28 ESV

21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” 24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Introduction

Imagine, if you will, a young man who embarks on a journey to climb a great mountain.

He sets out with a heavy backpack filled with all the comforts he believes will make his climb easier—food, water, a comfortable tent, and various other amenities.

As he ascends, however, the path becomes steeper and the weight of his pack more burdensome.

Eventually, he realizes that to reach the summit, he must cast aside the very things he thought he needed.

With each step, he sheds more of his load, until he carries only the bare essentials.

It is only then, when he is stripped of all that is non-essential, that he finds the strength and agility to reach the peak.

This man's journey is much like our spiritual journey.

We often burden ourselves with the comforts and securities of this world, thinking they will aid us in our quest for a meaningful and fulfilling life.

Yet, it is in letting go of these very things—in denying ourselves and taking up our crosses—that we find true life and purpose.

Today, we turn to Matthew 16:21-28.

This passage invites us to reflect deeply on the nature of discipleship, the meaning of the cross, and the paradoxes of our faith.

Let’s into three key points that emerge from this text.

The Sinfulness of Peter’s Response: A Lesson on the Cross

Matthew 16:21–23 ESV

21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Jesus reveals to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, suffer many things, be killed, and be raised on the third day.

Notice that Peter only hears one thing…be killed.

So, in a moment of misunderstanding and human frailty, he rebukes Jesus.

Peter's response, though well-intentioned, reflects a profound sinfulness rooted in ignorance of the significance of the cross.

Peter, like many, desired a theology of glory—a victorious, triumphant Messiah—neglecting the necessity of suffering and sacrifice.

The theology of the cross, however, is central to our faith.

It confronts human pride and calls us to embrace suffering as a pathway to redemption.

Unlike the theology of glory, which seeks comfort and triumph without cost, the theology of the cross teaches us that true victory comes through self-denial and bearing our crosses.

This call to self-denial and bearing our crosses is profoundly echoed in the writings of the Medieval German mystics, such as Meister Eckhart and Johannes Tauler.

These mystics emphasized that the path to union with God is through the cross, a journey marked by the shedding of the ego and the casting off our sin nature.

For these mystics, true prayer and union with God required a radical abandonment of self, akin to the stripping away of the young man’s burdens as he climbed the mountain.

They taught that it is only through embracing the suffering and trials symbolized by the cross that one can come into perfect, prayerful union with the Divine.

This mystical theology resonates deeply with the message of Jesus in Matthew 16:21-28, where the cross is not merely a symbol of suffering but a gateway to divine intimacy and transformation.

Peter's response serves as a reminder of our own struggles with understanding the true nature of discipleship.

Just as Peter found it difficult to comprehend the necessity of the cross, we too may find ourselves resisting the call to self-denial and sacrifice.

However, Jesus' rebuke to Peter is a call to us all to align our minds with the concerns of God, not merely human concerns.

This brings us to the second point of reflection: the paradox of finding life through the cross.

2. The Paradox of Finding Life Through the Cross

Matthew 16:24–25 ESV

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Here, Jesus presents a paradox that lies at the heart of Christian faith.

To find life, we must be willing to lose it.

This paradox is echoed throughout the Gospels.

John 12:24–25 ESV

24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Mark 8:35 ESV

35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.

These paradoxes challenge our understanding and invite us to a deeper faith.

True life, Jesus teaches, is found not in self-preservation, but in self-sacrifice.

It is only through bearing our crosses—through the trials and tribulations of life—that we discover the fullness of life in Christ.

At the same time, we may wonder how on earth we find joy in a cross.

Isn’t the cross just death?

The answer lies in understanding the profound mystery of the cross as presented in the Scriptures.

The Apostle Paul speaks to this paradox in Romans 5:3-5.

Romans 5:3–5 ESV

3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Therefore, the joy in the cross comes from the understanding that it is a gateway to resurrection, transformation, and eternal intimacy with God.

It is through the cross that we participate in Christ's victory over sin and death, and this eternal perspective fills us with joy and hope, even in the midst of suffering.

3. Accepting Trials: Storing Treasures in Heaven

Matthew 16:26–27 ESV

26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.

Here, Jesus underscores the fleeting nature of worldly gains and the eternal value of spiritual treasures.

The Christian life is marked by trials and sufferings in a world marred by sin.

Yet, we are called to endure with the assurance that our true reward lies in heaven.

Paul echoes this sentiment in Romans 8:18:

Romans 8:18 ESV

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Further, we are reminded in Matthew 6:19–20:

Matthew 6:19–20 ESV

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Don't be ashamed if you find this concept challenging.

Living with joy through trials is a grace, not something we achieve alone.

By focusing on Jesus during tough times, we gain clarity and focus, leading to joy.

Just as a toddler is messy when learning to eat, our joy in trials may be imperfect.

Trust that God will teach us in His time.

Application

Let us now consider how these truths apply to our daily lives:

Embrace the Cross: Reflect on the areas of your life where you seek comfort over sacrifice.

Ask God for the strength to embrace the cross in those areas, trusting in His redemptive plan.

Live the Paradox: Identify ways you can lose your life for Christ, whether through acts of service, generosity, or sharing the Gospel.

Remember that true life is found in these acts of self-giving.

Store Treasures in Heaven: Focus on eternal values.

Invest your time, resources, and energy in pursuits that have everlasting significance.

Let go of the fleeting desires of this world and seek first the kingdom of God.

Conclusion

As we conclude, we are invited to take up our crosses, embrace the paradox of faith, and store up treasures in heaven.

This journey is not easy, but it is filled with the promise of eternal life and the assurance of Christ’s presence with us.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the wisdom and truth of Your Word. As we reflect on the call to take up our crosses, grant us the strength and courage to follow You faithfully. Help us to understand the significance of the cross and to embrace the paradox of finding life through self-sacrifice. May we store up treasures in heaven and live each day with eternity in mind. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.