Mark 8:34 AV
And when he had called
the people unto him
with his disciples also,
he said unto them,
Whosoever will come after me,
let him deny himself,
and take up his cross, and follow me.
Obedience is also self-denial.
For that we must take up our cross. That’s difficult.
You have to duck to get under the cross.
▪︎ The cross is a sign of curse,
▪︎ The cross speaks of sin and judgment.
Taking up that cross, not only indicates that you are willing to go all the way in following Jesus, and if necessary give your life for it, as we saw in the first part this morning, but taking up that cross, as we see now, also indicates that we acknowledge our own guilt and acknowledge our need.
Have you been struggling with that for a long time?
Or are you walking around it?
Take it up, says the Christ, even though it is heavy.
You may leave your heavy burdens at the cross where Jesus died for you.
You don’t even have to find your own way, He shows you the way.
You may follow Him. The Shepherd is going in front.
He paves the way and gives new strength.
And after the cross the crown awaits for all who follow Him.
Twitter: @SchoemakerHarry
Website 1: https://devotionals.harryschoemaker.nl
Website 2: http://bijbelplaatjes.nl
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