Jesus served as a living example of taking up His cross on His way towards death. Logically speaking, it can almost be viewed by some as suicide as He had the authority to stop His crucifixion but chose not to, in obedience to The Father. There were times in scripture, Jesus had the ability to display His power to self-preserve but elected not to (Matthew 4:1-11, Matthew 26:53). He placed first God’s will over His own capacity to deliver Himself; this is not anything many of us would voluntarily choose. We generally have a hard time admitting our wrong or letting arguments and conversations lye without first making the other person agree with us, much less, our lives being on the line and we choose God’s plan over our physical safety, self-preservation.

The Cross that Jesus carried, yes was made of wood, but there was more on His back that He carried. He had the weight of our sin, our disobedience, our guilt, our shame, our condemnation and God’s wrath towards them all. All of these and the salvation of the world was His Cross to carry to Golgotha; for Him to be killed and cancel the power they had on us as sinners so that we may have a standing chance of eternal salvation.

He denied Himself the ability to save Himself so that the Lord’s will be fulfilled and also to serve as an example as to how He expects His followers to live:

“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’’ (Matthew 16:24)

Even in this, Jesus did it first, and we are called to be like Him as we go after Him. So, I challenge and ask you: what are you denying yourself for the sake of knowing more of Jesus and transforming more into His likeness? (keyword: “daily”), what are you denying yourself daily as you choose to follow Jesus? What cross is on your back as you follow Him towards Golgotha, towards a daily death?

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

This command to take up our cross daily and follow Him, not only walks us out into the fulfillment of being Christ-like, but also works towards the fulfillment of our call to die like Him, so that we may be raised with Him as well unto God (Romans 8:6-11).

Prayer:

Father God, thank you for your son Jesus, who went before me towards Golgotha so that I may be with you in eternal salvation. Thank you for Jesus’s work on this earth, in this world, showing me how to live in accordance to your will and faithful, self-denying obedience. Lord, I come to you today and ask for your revelation on my cross for today. What is the cross you are calling me to carry today towards Golgotha as I die so that I may rise in the likeness of Jesus and unto you? I thank you for your truth and relentless love and patience for me as you sanctify me more into the likeness of your son Jesus, the Messiah. And it is in your name, Jesus, I pray, Amen.