Mark 8:34

“When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, ‘Whoever desires to come after Me; let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow Me.’”

                Hold on a second, back up. Does anyone else remember this being in their Sunday school class when we first got saved as little kids? ‘Cause I sure don’t. I remember, “Jesus loves me,” and “love everyone” and “Obey your parents.” I don’t remember any of the teachers standing up and saying, “Okay, kids – today we’re going to show you what it really means to follow Jesus. You’re going to have to do something you don’t want to, and then go and pick up a cross over there in the corner, and put it on your back. Good, just over the shoulder there. Careful with the splinters…”

                Today so many Christians expect this complacent Christianity that is taught to six-year-olds. “Jesus loves you, he doesn’t want you to mess up, but if you do, he’ll forgive you,” They sit in their chair or pew on Sundays, maybe Wednesdays – and though they remember that Christ died for them to have eternal life, they forget we’re supposed to use our lives to die for him. They forget this verse in Mark; “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

                It’s not that every time you want something you say “Oh, deny myself – Lord, and I take upon me thy cross of sacrifice.” Not at all! It means you deny yourSELF – the fleshly desires within you to forsake God, to sin. You deny the sin of this world. Then taking up your cross is taking up the ridicule and the spiritual attack that will come from doing just that. You shoulder it, and remember that it’s all to the glory of God, and not for a cushy life with an umbrella in your cup.

                We need to wake up and see that God doesn’t give us our blessings for our benefit – he gives them to us to strengthen us and to give us moments of rest so we may again take up our cross and follow Him – and give Him all the glory for every step we take. But remember, Christ didn’t drop a heavy load on us. He said, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” It may be something to carry, but with Christ – it’s light.

                Today, I will give my troubles to God, and though they are still on my back, I will remember that Christ makes them lighter than air.