THE WEIGHT OF THE CROSS

THE WEIGHT OF THE CROSS

Friday, September 21, 2018

   Matthew [MKJV] 6:9-10 "This is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, let your name be kept holy. Let your kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is done in heaven. [Mt.26:42]

   Matthew 16:21-25 From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took Him and began to rebuke Him, saying, God be gracious to You, Lord! This shall never be to You. But He turned and said to Peter, Go, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you do not savor the things that are of God, but those that are of men. Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, and whoever desires to lose his life for My sake shall find it. [Mk.8:34; 10:21; Lk.9:23

Bearing our cross:

·         Involves letting go the selfish pursuit of happiness replaced by following Christ though not necessarily knowing or understanding all it entails . . . or may demand.

·         Typically involves suffering ridicule and reproach but untypically reflects joyful meekness; a life centered in present and eternal Biblical witnessing benevolence to mankind.

·         May be emotionally joyful or not. It may bring happiness or it may bring loss of fellowship with family or friend(s). Either sad result is worth nil in comparison to pleasing God and maintaining fellowship with Him.

·         Reflects our personal utmost for His highest.

·         Reflects in whom our confidence is centered.

·         Reflects holiness of our heart; being of the same mind, spirit, motive, and end that Christ has.

Adversely:

·         Suffering ridicule, reproach, the loss of loved ones fellowship we may improperly decide to draw back to the old ways of acceptance.

·         A personal reaction to loss of family or friends may be improperly centering all fellowship in and with agreeable Christians.

The daily responsibility of bearing our cross is ours alone. Without sincere commitment to the Holy One and His kingdom and His will the weight of our cross will be too heavy to bear.

EBB4