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  • You are here: Blogs Directory / Apologetics / A Voice in the Wilderness Welcome Guest
    A Voice in the Wilderness
          A Call to Repentance

    Fri, Sep 7th - 7:37AM

    Dying is Living



    Taking Up the Cross

    And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  Mark

                These words, uttered by Christ some two thousand years ago are an enigma to the modern church.  I must qualify this by saying that they are so, at least to the Western, supposedly non-persecuted church.  I, myself have not been to the places we are told that have great persecution, although, I believe and know that I have been persecuted here for my faith in Jesus.   Even so, whether persecuted or not, whether we find ourselves in one circumstance of life or another, we all find these words very puzzling to dwell upon.  What do they truly mean and how are they to be interpreted for me in my life’s situation?  How do all of my problems and frustrations and joys and happy times fit under this simple command of the Man of Galilee to his would-be followers?

                Now, if you, reader of this little article are expecting me to provide some deep understanding of the Lord’s words here, you’ll be greatly disappointed.  I really, have very little to say about them in this particular writing, except that we should always fall back on this statement that Jesus made.  It seems to me that whatever it means to take up the cross, deny one’s self and follow Christ ought to be our very first and highest priority if, that is, we want to be a disciple of His.  I suppose that these words of basic instruction are able to be understood by all, whether they be simple-minded or highly sophisticated, whether American, or perhaps a savage in the rain forest somewhere.  A persecuted Chinaman or a fat and lazy American are both given the same imperative here.  What does it mean for me?  How can I live out my life within the parameters of these words?  What about my pain, the pain nobody else knows about?  Does taking up of my cross give any relief to this terrible loneliness I feel inside?  What about all the injustice I see around me, both here in my immediate surroundings, as well as in the world at large?  How does the cross that I carry help me interpret it all?  Oh, I have so many questions for Him about all these things, and many more, but He just seems to say so calmly and firmly, “Take up your cross, dear friend, and come with Me.”

                It’s funny, but I think only those who have begun to do this, take up their cross, can really understand what it means to do so.  It can’t really be explained to someone who hasn’t done it.  It’s meaningless to the mass of people, both professing Christians and unbelievers alike.  But when they, as individuals find themselves obeying this fundamental instruction, it all begins to make sense.  All the theological argumentation, the religious movements within the organized church, the hubbub of activity in one’s life and the lives of those around him all seem to fall into perspective when it occurs.  A certain calm begins to rule in the heart, though it trembles at its helplessness in a hostile world.  The soul begins to give up control of its life to a higher and greater Power (Not the god of Alcoholics Anonymous).  All of the “Whys and Yeah-buts” get explained in due time.  That “peace that passes understand” actually begins to rule in one’s life, and a very real understanding of what it is to be a child and follower of the true and living God begins to manifest itself very clearly.

                Is this your experience, dear reader?  I’m not here to tell you how to be a Christian, except to remind you that taking up your cross is definitely a necessary and essential part of the Christian life.  Jesus said it to you and me and to all who could hear.  Will you do it?  He’ll enable you if you don’t think you can, because you can’t do it alone.  You’re not meant to.  It sounds so hard and harsh, but when you begin to lift up that cross He has fashioned just for you, and to walk with it you will find it easy and restful and a very safe, happy experience.  Just give up the fight and let Him win.  Show Him, yourself and those around you that you truly are one of His.  You’ll not regret it for a moment.  It’s something very new and wonderful and different.  Take up the cross, knowing that He died and you must die with Him in order to live!

    Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.  Matt. 11: 28-30

    "'Take up thy cross and follow Me,'

    I hear the blessed Saviour call.

    How can I make a lesser sacrifice

    When Jesus paid it all?"

     

     

     

     



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    About Me

    Name: W. Michael Clark
    ChristiansUnite ID: wmichael
    Member Since: 2006-04-04
    Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
    Denomination: Attend a Mennonite church
    About Me: I am a broken vessel, hopefully able to contain His grace and glory, and to faithfully deliver the message entrusted to me. 2Cor. 4:7

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