Don’t Get Crossed Up!

Matthew 10:31

And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

As I read this verse today it got me thinking.  It’s hard to go anywhere without seeing a cross.  From body piercing to bookends the cross is everywhere.  But do we really know this thing called the cross?  When Jesus spoke these words His audience knew what He was talking about.  The roads were lined with criminals nailed to crosses so the cross for them meant one thing…DEATH!  The death that Jesus died on that cross was the death we should have died.  He laid His life down for you.  Are you willing to lay your life down for Him? 

Everyone united to Christ by faith has been given a cross.  Some choose not to submit their shoulder to it and trade a life of sacrificial service for selfish ambition.  They choose the way of personal preference.  They choose the way of self-centeredness.  They might agree to carry a cross but only a cross of their own making.  But this is not for you! 

Your cross has been assembled and assigned to you by the infinity of His love, the immutability of His character, and the infallibility of His wisdom.  It is just the right shape, size and weight and you will carry it the exact number of steps God has ordained for you and not one step further.  God is bringing you to the end of yourself and His way is the way of the cross.  There is no better way for rebels like us.  If there was, He would have given it to us.  Jesus was our cross-bearer.  Shall we not be like our master and carry our cross and walk in His footsteps? Remember, because His footsteps took Him to Golgotha’s Hill our footsteps will take us into glory.  NEVER FORGET THAT…AMEN!