Step Two: Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me

When I first studied this verse in years past, it seemed like a condemnation to me. It did not seem as though I could possibly measure up. And I was right. On my own, I cannot. It’s only through the power of God that I can follow Jesus. This is the second of: Four Steps To Follow Jesus.

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it…” Luke 9:23-24 NIV

One morning, I finally understood this verse in another way. Jesus came to live, suffer, and die. He took up his cross because his entire existence on earth pointed to this moment.

Take Up Your Cross

It became clear to me that taking up my cross meant doing my best to follow his words and commands. That is, taking up my cross means being obedient, not perfect. Jesus was perfect; I’m not.

One way I study a passage is to read through the notes in my NIV Life Application Study Bible. Not all verses have notes, but those that do often deepen my understanding.

NIV Life Application Study Bible Notes:

Luke 9:23 Notes:

“To take up the cross meant to carry one’s own cross to the place of crucifixion. Many Galileans had been killed that way by the Romans—and Jesus would face it as well. With this word picture, Christ presented a clear and challenging description of the Christian life.
Being his disciple means putting aside selfish desires, shouldering one’s “cross” every day, and following him. It is simple and yet so demanding.
For the original Twelve, this meant literal suffering and death. For believers today, it means understanding that we belong to him and that we live to serve his purposes. Consider this: Do you think of your relationship with God primarily in terms of what’s in it for you (which is considerable) or in terms of what you can do for him?

Are you willing to deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow him? Anything less is not discipleship; it is merely superficial lip service.“

And Follow Jesus

In your life, what is one way you can take up your cross and follow Jesus each day? No matter how you do it, the goal is the same–following Jesus. Abide in him and follow him, walking step-by-step with our Lord and Savior.

Yours in Christ, Kurt

See the first post in this series:

Four Steps To Follow Jesus