An unsaved person lives for himself. He struggles to gain money, possessions and
prominence. Even if he gains the whole world, his heart will still be empty.
Unlike the unsaved person, we as believers are to have Christ-centered appetites.
Jesus calls each of His followers to take up his cross. When Jesus uttered these words,
the cross had a different significance.
Culturally it was seen as a means of execution. It had not been long since a Roman
general ordered 2,000 followers of the zealot Judas crucified along the road to Galilee.
It was a symbol of death.
Jesus said that to take up the cross is to deny self, to put our selfish priorities to death
and live out His priorities. He said as much in today’s verse.
Paul said in Galatians 2:20, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but
Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son
of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Jesus also said His disciples are to follow after Me. Where do we go when we take up
our cross and follow Christ? We follow Him to the grave. There we bury our selfish
ambition, our lustful desires and boastful pride. We then rise again with Him to live a
new life that reflects the beauty and glory of God.
It is a heavy subject but it does not change the challenge. We are to be followers of
Christ, no matter the cost.