Take Up His Cross 5/1-5

01-05 May 2016  - Take Up His Cross – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Mark 8:34 “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow me” (Jesus said).

To take up his cross is a big subject to truly understand what Jesus was referring to. So we look into one subject, the suffering of Christ and what can we learn from reading His Scriptures. The cross of Christ is a symbol of suffering.

1 Peter 2:19-20 NLT, “For God is pleased with you when for the sake of your conscience, you patiently endure unfair treatment. 20) Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong.  But if you suffer for doing the right and are patient beneath the blows, God is pleased with you.”

To understand these verses we need to realize that during Peter’s time there were slaves who worked for their masters. Often their masters were not always kind so Peter gave instruction from 1 Peter 2:18,  “You who are slaves must accept the authority of your masters.  Do whatever they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are harsh.” Then reading 1 Peter 2:19-20 explained how God looks at your suffering.

Peter wrote in his epistle that Christ is our great example who also suffered and that we should follow in His steps. 1 Peter 2:21-23 NLT, “This suffering is all part of what God has called you to.  Christ, who suffered for you, is your example.  Follow in his steps. 22) He never sinned, and He never deceived anyone.  23) He did not retaliate (talk back or argue back) when He was insulted.  When He suffered, He did not threaten to get even.  He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.”

Peter has advice for those who suffered for being a Christian. 1 Peter 4:12-19 NLT, “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13) Instead, be very glad—because these trials will make you partners with Christ in His suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing His glory when it is displayed to all the world.

14) “Be happy if you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God will come upon you. 15) If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs.

16) “But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian.  Praise God for the privilege of being called by His wonderful name! 17) For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin first among God’s own children.  And if even we Christians must be judged, what terrible fate awaits those who have never believed God’s Good News!

18) “And “If the righteous are barely saved, what chance will the godless and sinners have?” 19) So if you are suffering according to God’s will, keep on doing what is right, and trust yourself to the God who made you, for He will never fail you.”

Dorothy: After reading the Scriptures, my response was “wow!” These Scriptures just refreshed my understanding a little about the “suffering.” Suffering for Christ is a way to be able to grow at spiritual maturity, to get blessing from God and to be able to minister to others who also suffered. Sharing in Christ’s suffering is a blessing because we are being glorified with Christ.

When Jesus quoted, “Take up your cross and follow Me.” He meant when He suffered, you will suffer, too. We don’t need to seek for more suffering, but we as believers need to be willing to go through suffering because we love Christ and we are devoted to Him.

What will encourage us to be able to take the suffering as we go through? 1 Peter 2:24 tells us that “He personally carried away our sins in His own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. You have been healed by His wounds!”

Think of Christ’s suffering when Christ bore our sins on the cross and He took our place for punishment of suffering.  This should make you want to be willing to accept the “small” suffering compared to Christ’s terrible suffering from stripes and being on the cross for six whole hours. When you think of His agony on the cross, then you wouldn’t mind to “Take up your cross and follow Jesus.”

Prayer: Oh Jesus, thank You for reminding us that when we suffer, we suffer with You and that we are being glorified with You. Thank You for Holy Spirit who will help us to go through whatever suffering we might have to face and to keep our eyes on You, and to love You with all our hearts. In Jesus’ name. Amen!  

Song: When We See Christ

         By Esther Kerr Rushthoi

It will be worth it all

      when we see Jesus;

Life’s trials will seem so small

       when we see Christ;

One glimpse of His dear face,

       all sorrow will erase;

So bravely run the race

       till we see Christ.