"Pick Up Your Cross"

Crucifixion was quite common in the Roman world—used for military enemies, violent criminals, robbers and slaves. So when Jesus told the disciples to “pick up your cross,” did they interpret it metaphorically, a commitment worth dying for? Did they understand it was a sentence of death to their self-life? What does “your cross” mean to you?

I think a lot of Christians define their cross as bearing up under a difficult relationship, circumstance, handicap, or a deprivation. They say “this is my cross to bear.” This is only partially true. “Your cross” is not an external thing. “Your cross” is a heart work. As your ‘reaction’ to these circumstances brings out the worst in you, you give up your right to have things the way you want.

Jesus knew He would die a painful death one day on a cross for of our sins. He lived His entire life under this death sentenced. "Dead man walking" is a term that is used in our penal system when someone who is sentenced to death is on their way to be executed—their last walk. As Jesus walked to Calvary, He was under the “sentence of death.” But after He died and was buried, He rose to new life—not only for Himself but for all who died with Him that day. And now we are alive in Christ.

When you pick up your cross and follow Jesus, you are agreeing to keep your flesh under the sentence of death, that you might live every day alive in Christ! “Your cross” is the path to abundant life.

"I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Gal. 2:20).