Matthew 16:24-25 "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.'" Wow, that's a pretty stiff instruction! Luke records Christ's comand as: in order to be Christ's "disciple" we must take up our cross and follow Him. What does it mean to take up our "cross"? What does it mean to be a true disciple? John 19:17 tells us that Jesus carried the cross. He did not give us an instruction that He
Himself did not do. He willingly boar the cross. He took on its physical, spiritual and emotional suffering. Why?...Because, He knew that it was the only way for us to be in right relationship with the Father. He knew that man was sinful with no hope of salvation. Christ's act of carrying the cross for us was fully complete and fully satisfied the Father's wrath against sinful man. Why then are we told to carry a cross? We are not trying to work to gain salvation. Chist is all sufficient. Our cross is one of obedience and witness. The cross symbolizes pain and suffering. We are to deny ourselves and take up OUR
cross. As disciples (followers of Christ), we are all called to the same things (denying ourselves, following Him, sharing the gospel, etc.); however, my cross is different than yours. How we live out our individual callings looks different for each believer. Some are called to go to another country; some are called to full-time ministry in their home country; some are called as lay people faithfully being lights in their businesses, families and neighborhoods......the list goes on!! He has a master plan for each of us and no one plan is greater or more significant than another. I am so thankful that he chooses to use us. I praise Him that where He calls us - He has already gone before us. He does not give us more than we can endure. Our "cross" will challenge us; we are promised suffering; we are promised heartache; and often we will feel weary under its load. However, as His
disciples carrying our cross is also where He grows us; teaches us; and reveals more of Himself to us. Under this burden is where we will find peace and hope. Choosing daily to pick up my cross and follow Him, AT
Matthew 16:24-25 "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.'" Wow, that's a pretty stiff instruction! Luke records Christ's comand as: in order to be Christ's "disciple" we must take up our cross and follow Him. What does it mean to take up our "cross"? What does it mean to be a true disciple? John 19:17 tells us that Jesus carried the cross. He did not give us an instruction that He 
Himself did not do. He willingly boar the cross. He took on its physical, spiritual and emotional suffering. Why?...Because, He knew that it was the only way for us to be in right relationship with the Father. He knew that man was sinful with no hope of salvation. Christ's act of carrying the cross for us was fully complete and fully satisfied the Father's wrath against sinful man. Why then are we told to carry a cross? We are not trying to work to gain salvation. Chist is all sufficient. Our cross is one of obedience and witness. The cross symbolizes pain and suffering. We are to deny ourselves and take up OUR 
cross. As disciples (followers of Christ), we are all called to the same things (denying ourselves, following Him, sharing the gospel, etc.); however, my cross is different than yours. How we live out our individual callings looks different for each believer. Some are called to go to another country; some are called to full-time ministry in their home country; some are called as lay people faithfully being lights in their businesses, families and neighborhoods......the list goes on!! He has a master plan for each of us and no one plan is greater or more significant than another. I am so thankful that he chooses to use us. I praise Him that where He calls us - He has already gone before us. He does not give us more than we can endure. Our "cross" will challenge us; we are promised suffering; we are promised heartache; and often we will feel weary under its load. However, as His 
disciples carrying our cross is also where He grows us; teaches us; and reveals more of Himself to us. Under this burden is where we will find peace and hope. Choosing daily to pick up my cross and follow Him, AT
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