PODCAST

Take Up Your Cross

March 2nd, 2012

RG AUDIO 030212Mark 8:31-9:1

You will only know the heart of Christ when you know the cross. You cannot be Jesus’ disciple and follow him without a cross.

This cross is not suffering alone; many suffer without God in our fallen world. This cross is not rejection; many are rejected for reasons other than faithful discipleship. This cross is certainly not pain; pain itself cannot sanctify. This cross is not death; until Christ returns we will all die. This cross is not Jesus’ cross; that cross was unique, it bore the complete sacrifice for all sin. We are to bear our own personal cross.

It is not enough to have a cross, we must take it up. Only when the cross is borne can we follow the Savior. We cannot lay our cross aside and rest awhile from the burden of discipleship. This cross must be carried until Christ himself lifts it from our shoulders and says, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21).