Resurrection Sunday is the time of year where Christians reflect
upon the cross, and celebrate Jesus rising from the dead. It’s a joyous
occasion, and I think the most attended church service of the year. With
resurrection Sunday recently passing, many Christians got the opportunity to
remember the cross. However, not only is it important for believers to remember
the cross on Resurrection Sunday, Jesus calls his followers to take up their
cross daily and to follow him.
In Luke 9:23, Jesus said, “ if any man would come after me,
let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” So what does
it mean to take up your cross? To answer this question, I think it’s important
to think about what the cross means.
The cross symbolizes life through death. Jesus died on the
cross and rose from the dead in victory. The cross symbolizes Jesus’ total
submission to the will of God. As you may recall, in Luke 22:42 Jesus asked for
the “cup of suffering” to be taken away from him, but ultimately he concluded,
“ not my will, but yours be done.” Jesus submitted to the will of God.
So I believe when Jesus asks us to take up our cross daily
and follow him, he is asking for us to submit to the will of God. He is asking
us to die to self and to give God complete control of our lives every day.
I believe the cross symbolizes all areas of our lives that
we haven’t released to God. I believe taking up your cross is giving God your
struggles and your fears and saying, “Not my will but your will be done.” I
believe it means giving God your hopes and dreams and saying, “Not my will, but
your will be done.” I believe taking up your cross means giving God everything.
I believe taking up your cross is a way of life, and that is
why it must be done daily. It is learning to trust God. It is learning to be
humble before the Lord. It is coming to the realization that taking up your
cross is not a death sentence, but rather it is a symbol of life, and not just
any life, but a victorious life with God in complete control. How awesome is
that? So don’t be afraid to take up your cross because if you do, God is
faithful and will definitely reward you. Be blessed.
©2013 by Tanya Guerrier.
