You know about Jesus’ cross, but what about yours?
Jesus said His followers would deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. Yet, so many Christians forget Jesus’ critical instruction for following Him. Don’t be one of them.
Let me show you how to find your cross.
Good Friday and Easter are upon us. This celebration defines us. We are Christians. We celebrate Christ and His sacrifice for us. But for many Christians, that’s where it stops. Many say, “I’m a Christian,” but don’t do the most critical next step: following Him. Many miss the definition of Christian, which means ‘little Christ.’ Why are we called little Christs? Because Jesus’ followers are to be like Him, even in His sacrifice for others. Jesus says, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.” (Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23; Matthew 16:24)
When people see Jesus’ cross, they get transformed. They see His love for people persecuting Him, leading them to embrace the ways of Jesus and His love. This is the power of the cross! The testimony of the cross is so powerful that it moves people to repentance – to rethink their own lives. This is why the Jesus film is so transformative. When shown to villages of people worldwide in their heart language, the response is the same. They recognize the truth in Jesus. They want to give their lives to Him. They want to follow the truth.
In the same way, as a royal son (ladies included) and priest of God, you will sometimes be asked to sacrifice your rights in the face of persecution. It will be painful. No cross is without suffering. Your response to a cross-opportunity is telling. Will you stand for your rights or love your enemy and sacrifice for them? For the joy set before Him, Jesus endured His cross. The joy He focused on was you and me. We were worth His sacrifice. Who in your life is worth the sacrifice? If you are to take up your cross willingly, you must also see the people persecuting you as bearers of the image of God. Your endurance will depend on it.
Where’s your cross? Potentially it is your spouse, your children, people at work who come against you, people persecuting you, who hate you, who cancel you, someone on the street, or whom you encounter while driving. Every Christ-follower has a cross to bear in the various seasons of life. No judgment. No condemnation. With forgiveness, you must pick up your cross and deny yourself and your rights. To deny ourselves in Jesus’ terms is to think and act for Him and others before our needs and desires. To take up your cross is slightly different. The cross represents torture for the bearer and salvation for whom it is borne. Your cross is defined by the thing that must be sacrificed for the salvation of others, for their breakthrough in recognizing Christ and Christ in you.
The result is life-giving! Taking up your cross will be a resurrection of faith for you and a transformation for whom the sacrifice is given! Make this Good Friday and Easter a recommitment to Christ following. Ask the Father what cross He’s asking you to bear. The experience of being a ‘little Christ’ may be the most memorable thing you do this year. It is guaranteed to echo throughout eternity!
May this Easter be your strategic inflection point from celebrating the cross of Jesus to owning yours!
We’re in your corner,
Rob Dayton
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