Focus: The Cross Is A Choice!

Text: Lk.9:23

"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."

The cross of Christ is borne by choice, not by coercion or by force. Whoever wants to be a follower of Christ must decide to carry his own cross daily.

A good example of the point I am making comes from Simon of Cyrene. The Scripture says, "And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they COMPELLED to bear HIS cross" (Mt.27:32). Simon was compelled or forced to carry the cross of Christ. He did not do it of his own volition. He did not have the liberty to accept or reject. The cross of Christ was forced on him. 

Simon was forced to bear His cross, but Jesus Christ said, "If anyone has the will to follow me, let him take up his cross…" Mark that word 'his' cross. It is Jesus' cross, but the follower of Christ must make it as his. It is Christ's cross, but we must take it as our own cross. Jesus Christ says, "Let him take up his cross." 

It is the cross of Christ turned into one's own cross. By way of personal decision the cross of Christ becomes our own.

Jesus Christ says, "If any man will…" It's a choice - an act of personal volition. Is it not deeply touching to know that Peter denied Christ for lack of self-denial? Christians who find it difficult to deny themselves will very easily deny Christ. Christ said to Peter, "I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me" (Lk.22:34,61). Bearing the cross of Christ requires self-denial. It is equally important to know that Christ will not put up with a forced or coerced cross-bearing. The cross of Christ is borne by choice, not by force. 

Also, it is possible to follow Christ without being willing or ready to bear His cross, but then, that would mean no more than a casual or nominal following. No price is attached to such a following. It is just being a Christian on the surface level. 

The truth is: no one can be a true disciple of Christ if he is not bearing the cross of Christ. Christ and His cross go hand in hand.

A true disciple of Christ would not avoid or evade the cross. The way of the cross is the way of Christ. There is a Christ-less cross, but there is nothing like a cross-less Christ.

The bottom line is: the cross is a choice, and we should make that choice, and make it daily. Following Christ is costly, but the blessings outweigh the temporal troubles. The blessings of following Christ are boundless and timeless.

Let us willingly surrender our shoulders to bearing the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The cross is a blessing, not a curse. Let us bear Christ's cross willingly and deliberately. There is a great gain beyond the pain of following Christ. Make that choice now!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter