“And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” – Matthew 10:38
These words of Jesus are very simple and very stark. Every Christian needs to wrestle with this statement. A lot.
To His original audience, the cross was the symbol of agony, suffering, oppression, and brutal death. Jesus doesn’t call His followers to a life of comfort, convenience, health, wealth, or popularity. He calls us to obedience. He calls us to go through what He went through: betrayal, humiliation, rejection, suffering, death, and glorious resurrection.
Though Christ saves us by grace alone, as those who are saved, He calls us to sacrifice. He calls us to surrender every aspect of our lives – time, talent, and treasure – to His work of making disciples throughout the entire world. Jesus calls us off the couch and out of the pews to go where He leads and do what He commands. If living your faith isn’t costing you in many ways, you need to meditate on this verse more!
When we say we love Jesus, accept His gift of salvation, but reject His call to hard, faithful, Spirit-empowered, joyful obedience, service, and sacrifice we aren’t worthy of the union we enjoy with Him. We aren’t worthy of the blood He shed for us. We aren’t worthy of the new creation He made us to be. We are blessed with all these things and more for a purpose: His glory and His kingdom. Take up your cross and follow Him, today, tomorrow, and every day!