Carrying our Cross

Delivered in English - April 27, 2025

Passage Luke 9:23-27

Luke 9:23–27 CSB

23 Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it. 25 For what does it benefit someone if he gains the whole world, and yet loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and that of the Father and the holy angels. 27 Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

Introduction

The previous week, we celebrated the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We remember the suffering, the forgiveness, and the love He showed that day.

We realize the importance of that event in our everyday lives. We were destined to punishment and death through sin from the day Adam and Eve disobeyed God, and ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Only a perfect man was able to fulfill the prophecy, and give us the forgiveness we needed.

Jesus died an excruciating death. He bear the cross. He carried it to the mount, was nailed to it, suffered on it and died on it. The cross is a cherished symbol of atonement, forgiveness, grace, and love that Christians look upon today and is of great importance.

But the meaning of the cross doesn’t end with Jesus. The suffering, the sacrifice, and death must continue even today. It is no longer Jesus that needs to bear the cross today. It is you and I. It’s the followers of Christ.

The Meaning of the Cross

What is the meaning of the Cross? Simply, the meaning of the cross is death. Back then, the cross was an instrument of death by the most torturous and painful ways. It was also meant to humiliate and bring shame to the ones guilty of their crimes.

Crucifixion, comes from Latin “to fix to a cross”

Excruciating, comes from Latin “out of crucifying”

Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered What Did Jesus Mean When He Said, “Take up Your Cross and Follow Me” (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23)?

Two thousand years later, Christians view the cross as a cherished symbol of atonement, forgiveness, grace, and love. But in Jesus’ day, the cross represented nothing but torturous death. Because the Romans forced convicted criminals to carry their own crosses to the place of crucifixion, bearing a cross meant carrying their own execution device while facing ridicule along the way to death.

Today we see crosses everywhere. At the top of a church, inside the church, around our necks, as bookmarks, on our bibles, etc.

But back then, people tried to avoid the cross as much as possible. Kind of like the way we try to avoid cemeteries or places where people have died.

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me

Firstly, we must begin with what Jesus didn’t mean about this. People interpret the cross as a sort of burden they must carry in their lives such as having a strained relationship, a thankless job, a physical illness, having to deal with your teenage kid’s bad temperament.

The cross was never and should never be looked at as just a simple burden

Although for some, this could just be a simple saying, but let us not lessen the meaning of the cross.

Today, “Take up your cross and follow me” means being willing to suffer and die and in order to follow Jesus.

Denying himself

Dying to self

Ultimate surrender

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 9

To be a true disciple of Jesus requires self-denial. The cross was the most painful and humiliating form of execution of the Roman era. Thus to take up one’s cross daily is to expect painful situations every day because of allegiance to Christ.

Denying our dying to self is denying the natural desire of sin in our lives. Our flesh wants to sin. To deny ourselves is to leave our old ways behind and have our actions reflect Jesus.

Think of the suffering that Jesus had to go through. He then tells us we must go through this Daily. And we must because everyday we fight with temptation and sin.

Sacrifices for Christ

When we accept Jesus in our lives, we are not only accepting the joy and peace he gives us daily. We are also accepting that we too are going to face situations that Jesus faced.

Following Jesus is easy when life runs smoothly; our true commitment to Him is revealed during trials. Jesus assured us that trials will come to His followers. Discipleship demands sacrifice, and Jesus never hid that cost.

John 16:33 CSB

33 I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

There were those that came to Jesus and pledged to follow Him, but they needed to finish some things first! Good things, at that. Bury their dead father, saying good-bye to their families. With this, Jesus questioned their commitment. Sometimes the sacrifices we need to make is not only getting rid of the bad things, but some good things as well.

Passage appears in Luke 9:57-62

Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered What Did Jesus Mean When He Said, “Take up Your Cross and Follow Me” (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23)?

Therefore, Jesus appeared to dissuade them. How different from the typical Gospel presentation! How many people would respond to an altar call that went, “Come follow Jesus, and you may face the loss of friends, family, reputation, career, and possibly even your life”? The number of false converts would likely decrease! Such a call is what Jesus meant when He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me.”

Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered What Did Jesus Mean When He Said, “Take up Your Cross and Follow Me” (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23)?

If you wonder if you are ready to take up your cross, consider these questions:

• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing some of your closest friends?

• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means alienation from your family?

• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means the loss of your reputation?

• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your job?

• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your life?

Do not be ashamed of Christ

In some places of the world, these consequences are reality. But notice the questions are phrased, “Are you willing?” Following Jesus doesn’t necessarily mean all these things will happen to you, but are you willing to take up your cross? If there comes a point in your life where you are faced with a choice—Jesus or the comforts of this life—which will you choose?

The condition of being despised and rejected, slandered and persecuted, is as much a normal mark of Christian discipleship as being pure in heart or merciful.

Acts 5:40–42 CSB

40 After they called in the apostles and had them flogged, they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them. 41 Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of the Name. 42 Every day in the temple, and in various homes, they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

People in other places in the world are facing the ultimate sacrifice. To this day there are Christians suffering way worse things than us. Losing families, churches, their lives. Thousands are being affected yearly. A lot of these people are rejoicing in the fact that they are worthy to suffer as Jesus did.

Compare our lives to those in other places

We say, “let them suffer, I’m comfy here in my place”

Since we have it so much more comfortable, and our sacrifices don’t compare to what Christians that are being put to the death, we must work twice as hard to carry our cross.

We must be twice as thankful, twice as loving.

Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered What Did Jesus Mean When He Said, “Take up Your Cross and Follow Me” (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23)?

Commitment to Christ means taking up your cross daily, giving up your hopes, dreams, possessions, even your very life if need be for the cause of Christ.

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 2

20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.