(Mt.10:38; Lk.9:23)
Excerpt from the Book Christian Discipleship by Rev. Georges Défay
To take up your cross is one of the conditions that Jesus himself declared necessary in order to follow Him. This is mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew in Chapter 16. Beginning with verse 24, we can read: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me”.
The fact is Christ frequently used this expression “take up your cross” when addressing his disciples and we can find several references of it in the New Testament (Matt.10:38; Mark 8:34; 10:21; Luke 9:23; 13:27).
In the context of Matthew chapter 10, Jesus, after announcing his imminent death and resurrection, described to his disciples the conditions that they would have to fulfill in order to come after him; in other words: in order be his disciples, to continue and perpetuate his ministry after his physical departure and ascension to heaven.
A - UNDERSTANDING THE EXPRESSION “TO TAKE UP YOU CROSS”
1) Does it mean to physically die for God?
Let us first note that it was not for any disciple to be sacrificed as Jesus Christ was on the cross for the expiation of sin; nor was it asked of anyone to give his life as ransom for mankind. In that sense, Jesus alone, because of his sinless nature and purity, could be an acceptable and valid sacrifice and substitute for humanity, “The Lamb of God without stain or blemish”. Moreover, let’s point out (Luke 9:23) that Jesus commanded his disciple to take up his cross every single day. Now, it becomes more evident, that this cross that Jesus was referring to cannot be identified as being death for expiation of sin. In fact, one cannot die physically more then once (except that he should be resurrected by spiritual or scientific means; and that would not be every day). Even our Lord himself suffered death once and for all for sin and not on multiple occasions (Heb.9:12; Heb.10:10-14).
So now, if the cross does not mean physical death, then what does “take up the cross” really mean? Could it be repentance from sin? Since we know that holiness and sanctification are a must for all believers, and that consecration is for anyone who wants to be a true disciple of Jesus, may be that’s what the cross means? The answer is no for repentance from sin is related to putting off the old man and the forsaking of dead works. To repent then is not to take up the cross; it’s rather deliverance and joy for the repenting sinner or saint.
2) Does take up the cross mean to accept and bear life’s misfortunes?
This question is important for us to answer fully, since for centuries some have interpreted taking up the cross to mean accepting and bearing the sum of problems, misfortunes, calamities, defects, infirmities, sorrows, sufferings and pains “assigned by God” to one’s life.
The English expression “to everyone his own cross” is a good illustration of that way of thinking, which shows an inaccurate understanding and erroneous interpretation of God’s word and God’s purpose in our lives. The Heavenly Father seeks to bring his children to the conformity to the image of Christ in perfect joy and glory. Of course, it’s true that God will test his children and will also chastise them in view of their perfection, but God is not the one who kills, steals, devoures, and destroys his sons and daughters. The Lord is in fact the One who gives life abundantly and even when testing his children, He provides the means to come out of such victorious and strengthened (Rom.8:28-30; Jn.10:9-10; 1Cor.10:13; 1Tim 3:10).
When a disciple wrongly believes that God is the One who is giving him misery and suffering as his cross, he then has no other choice but to take the road of resignation and fatalism, which leads to bitterness and self-destruction. However, we know that to be contrary to God’s will and purpose and to Christian living (Job 3; Heb.12:15; Rom.8:32-37; 2 Tim.3:11; 2 Tim.4:18).
3) The true meaning of the expression “Take up your cross”
“To take up his cross”, “to carry the cross” or “to take charge of your own cross” simply put refers to the complete acceptance, commitment or dedication to accomplish God’s work or ministry according to the Lord’s calling. One could wonder: “Isn’t the cross the symbol of suffering and death? Precisely! It must be recognized that in his dedication to fulfill the plan and purposes of God for his life, the disciple would have to undergo and overcome much:
- First, he/she must prepare and train to gain knowledge and mature as a man (woman) of God.
- Second, he/she must know, identify and deal wisely with satanic opposition (Matt.11:28-30; Rom.5:15-21; Rom.8:28-37).
- Third, he has to develop the heart (courage) and the right (godly) motivations to serve those who have been assigned to him/her by God.
B - TRAINING AND MATURING: The hard road of discipleship
Above all, faithfulness has to characterize the disciple who will have to undergo a gruesome Training and Maturing process, if he desires to be proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for ministry. As the athlete has to condition himself for the race, preparing for ministry requires discipline, determination and perseverance. The study of God’s word, the fellowship of the Holy Spirit and a life of prayer constitute the foundation for ministry. In addition to genuine holiness and sanctification, the disciple will have to pursue knowledge and wisdom not just from books but most importantly from the Spirit of God in order to minister with God’s anointing and not by human wisdom and ability (Rom.12:1-2; 2Tim.4:8-16; 2Tim.2:3-10; 15-17; 2Cor.6:1-4; Acts 6:1-4; Eph.5:18; 2Cor.3:4-6).
-Spiritual Maturity is a Must
For efficient and faithful ministry, SPIRITUAL MATURITY IS A MUST. One must grow and become fully equipped in all areas for the work of the ministry. A real disciple must always be willing to listen to the voice of the Lord and must be ready to change opinion, attitude and behavior. Character development is obligatory in order to walk in love, integrity, and to maintain good relation with all, either Christians or pagans (Phil.2:1-4; Rom.12:9-21). To accomplish his task, one must fortify and crucify all carnal lusts. Moreover, one must identify and resist the attacks often subtle of the adversary (1Tim.6:20; 2Tim.4:1-6; Eph.6:10-18; Joshua 1:6-9; 2Cor.9:24-27).
-Discipline for Life
One can readily realize that the disciple’s training and maturing could turn out to be difficult to accomplish. Without God’s grace and the support of the Holy Spirit, one cannot succeed even at the preparatory stage. Let us underline that the principles and patterns one learns at the preparatory stage should remain constant factors in the disciple’s life and ministry. DISCIPLINE must never be looked upon as something preliminary or circumstantial because it constitutes the basis of all effective ministries. Meditation of God’s word, comprehensive and comparative study of Scriptures, fervent prayer and fasting, teaching, fellowship with the saints, praise and worship and good deeds are important activities which will contribute to help shaping, maintaining and to strengthening the disciple spiritually. Thusly trained, he will be ready to assume God’s assignment and accomplish God’s foreordained plan (1Cor.9:23-27; Rom.12:1-2; Heb.10:25; 2Cor.3:18).
C – DEALING WITH SATANIC OPPOSITION
Adversities and Persecutions orchestrated and released by Satan are direct results of all true commitment and real dedication to God’s service (John 16:33; 2Tim.3:12; Acts 9:15-16). One should remember that opposition and persecution from the enemy manifest themselves in different ways, especially through humans who are controlled and influenced by unclean or evil spirits (Job 1; 2Cor.12:7). Often enough, persecution will begin at home, in the midst of the disciple own family and close friends (Matt.10:32-38; John 7:2-7; 2Tim.3:8-12; 2Cor.4:1-18; 2Cor.11:23-33; 1Cor.15:30-32; 1Pet.4:16; 1Pet.5:8-10).
- The Good Fight of Faith
The disciples, whose lives and ministries glorify God, constitute prime targets for Satan’s persecution, which aims at stopping God’s testimony through these believers (1John 5:5-12). From sickness to fear of death, from doubt to dementia, from condemnation to persecution, Satan will try anything to achieve his goal, which is to destroy faith in the heart of the disciple. Since faith is God’s means to victory, the Devil’s strategy is a very clever and efficient one. This is why Christ’s disciple needs to be aware of the enemy’s schemes and must learn how to protect and hold on to his faith no matter what.
Though disciples are not fighting against flesh and blood, nonetheless they are in a real fight, called Spiritual Warfare or the Fight of Faith. It involves invisible spirit beings, which must be dealt with according to faith based upon God’s word (Eph.6:10-18; Lk.10:19).
When facing humiliation and shame, danger and harm, failure and calamity and all forms of persecution and affliction, the disciple must take courage and persevere in fulfilling God’s plan. He must focus on Jesus and his heart is to hold fast to God’s love manifested in his Son’s death on
D-COURAGE, LONG SUFFERING, PATIENCE: Prerequisites for Discipleship
Courage is an important part of a disciple character. It takes courage to accept the new way of life in Christ. One has to reject what others cherish and discard what is important to family and close friends. Abstaining from idol worship, praying to the saints, or calling spirits will offend others, who consider these acts as being godly and beneficial. In addition, people get offended as believers abstain from activities considered normal by them (having sex and living together without marriage (fornication), drinking of alcohol (liquors), cigarette or pot smoking, drugs, party, etc). Opposing the world life style requires courage of the disciple (1Pet 3:13-17).
-Faithfulness in Training and in All Things
In ministry, the disciple labors daily before enjoying the fruit of his work. Longsuffering is a must and patience is needed to endure sorrows and pains, which could have been repressed. The faculty to suffer long without fainting enables God’s servant to hold on when most would be giving up saying: “that’s of no use, let’s quit”, as failure and bankruptcy seem certain (2Cor.11:23-28). If it is true that God establishes the ministry of those who are really faithful in their training, it’s also true that the crown of righteousness (God’s reward for service) will be presented to those who have been faithful in executing their godly assignment (1Tim.1:12; 2Tim.4:7-8; Heb.12:1-3; Heb.3:1-6; Phil.2:8-16; Gal.6:9-10). Keep in mind that this crown is neither given for quantity of works nor is it obtained by popularity contest. Faithfulness is the only basis for rewards.
Taking up the cross is in fact the ultimate reason for being Christ’s disciple (Mt.5:1-16). In taking the cross one becomes worthy of his master and of God’s Kingdom (Mt.10:38; Lk.9:62; Matt.11:32-33). Thusly, Christ is manifested and is able to convince others of his resurrection.
E – THE MARTYRS’ CALL: CARRYING THE CROSS, EVEN UNTO DEATH
It is important to note that in God’s service, physical death is at times an eventuality for a disciple. Many Christians have been killed and continue to be killed as a direct consequence of preaching the Gospel and for keeping their faith in Christ. If one dies because of his call, his death honors God and constitutes a cause for eternal glory (Matt.23:34; John 21:17-19). Numerous Christians gave their lives according to God’s will for the Gospel. Those martyrs made the ultimate sacrifice by choosing to be witnesses of Christ rather than denying their faith in him. They entered death not because of vainglory but because of love for God and their commitment to their King, the Lord Jesus Christ and to the
At the beginning of Christianity, believers experienced fierce persecutions mostly from the Jews, led by zealous Pharisees as Paul of Tarsus. Steven the first martyr of the Faith was stoned to death. Since then, many followed him in martyrdom. Apart from John the Revelator, history reports that all of the apostles of the Lamb, as well as Paul, died as martyrs. They held fast to their faith in Christ, even in the face of atrocious and painful death (1Cor.13:1-4; Acts 21:7-14; John 15:12-14; Phil.2:3-8).
At the time when the Roman Empire ruled the world, countless Christians perished simply because of their allegiance and faith in the person and the Gospel of Christ. In this pagan world and polytheistic society, disciples were viewed as deviants and outlaws regarding religion. Some were killed by the sword and others were eaten alive by wild beasts like tigers and lions in sporting events. Several were burned as human torch and many were offered up as holocausts to false Roman gods and goddesses.
During the Counter-Reformation, believers were persecuted and burnt at the stake at the hand of the Catholic Inquisition, led by Lucrèce Borgia, Torqué Mada, and Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit priestly order. Countless believers lost their lives during the reformation movement led by Martin Luther and Calvin. Fleeing persecutions many believers and religious groups left Europe and migrated to the
In our times, persecution of Christians is still taking place in the world, particularly in countries where the government system and heads of state are hostile to the Christian Faith. It is reported the two currents, which fuel Christian persecution today, are Communism and Muslim fundamentalism. Still now, persecutions remain common in countries such as: