My Savior and My Cross-Roads: Luke 14: 26-28

 In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters -- yes, even their own life, such person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower, won't you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” (Luke 14:26-28).

Jesus resorts to a vivid hyperbole when he joins the word "hate" to one’s immediate family. Yet, he's not inferring we should hate our loved ones, but rather, that we should love him even more than how we love our family members. Then he connected this kind of love for Him to carrying our cross and our commitment to being his disciple.


The cross is not a one-time event; it is a daily experience. Thus, all that the cross represents, we must carry around daily. The cross represents death, sacrifice, shame, pain, ridicule, and likewise, freedom, restoration, joy, new beginnings, security, and life. To carry one’s cross is to live and have the expectations of all that it represents.

The lesson Jesus is teaching us here is that before we decide to follow him as a disciple, we must consider the cost of following the King. We must ask ourselves if we are willing and committed to bear the burden and all that the cross will demand of us. The cross is heavy, but Jesus was nailed to it first. So, he knows it is a burdensome experience. The cross challenges our pride and ego, our image and self-exaltation, and Jesus knows this well. Carrying your cross may cause others to ridicule you. They did so to him.

As you carry it, they may call you names and taunt you to put it down because it is not worth the sacrifice, shame, and pain. Yet stay nailed to it and keep walking, keep praising Him, keep on keeping on. The cross and its accompanying attributes will authenticate you as a disciple of Christ. It worth giving up everything in complete surrender to Him. After all, He gave up His life for us.

Let us consider the cost of following the Lord as a disciple, and if you believe it worth loving Him more than everyone and everything else, then lift it up, way up, yes - your cross, and let us walk with Him in expectation for His return when there will be no more need for our cross.

 

R.G.  07/09/25

Image: pixabay.com

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