Luke 9:23, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
To bear the cross daily means to embrace a life of denying the self and allowing Christ’s life to take the lead. The cross is not merely a symbol of suffering but a pathway to life. It is through the cross that the natural life is dealt with, opening the way for the resurrection life of Christ to manifest in us.
The Lord Jesus set the perfect example of bearing the cross. In the garden of Gethsemane, He prayed, “Not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). This was the ultimate denial of self and submission to the Father’s will.
Similarly, bearing our cross involves saying “no” to our desires, preferences, and ambitions when they conflict with God’s will and saying “yes” to His purpose.
The daily nature of this command reveals that the cross is not a one-time event but a continual process. Each day brings new opportunities to surrender to the Lord, trust in His sovereignty, and let go of our independent self-life.
Practical Expressions of Bearing the Cross:
1.In Relationships: Bearing the cross means choosing to love, forgive, and serve others, even when it is inconvenient or undeserved.
2.In Decisions: It means seeking God’s will above our own in all choices, big or small.
3.In Challenges: It involves accepting trials and difficulties as opportunities for growth, trusting that God is using them to transform us.
Reflection and Activity:
Spend time in prayer, asking the Lord to reveal areas where you need to embrace the cross.
Reflect on a recent situation where you faced a choice between self-will and God’s will. How did you respond?
Meditate on Luke 9:23 and ask the Lord to help you live out this verse in practical ways.
Main Points:
– The Cross Deals with the Self-Life: The cross cuts off the self-centered life, enabling us to live for God and others.
– Bearing the Cross Is an Act of Love: We deny ourselves not out of duty but out of love for the Lord and others.
– The Cross Leads to Resurrection Life: As we embrace the cross, the resurrection life of Christ is released in and through us.
Related Scriptures for Reflection:
Galatians 6:14 – “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
Romans 8:13 – “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Prayer Confessions:
Lord, teach me to deny myself and bear the cross daily for Your glory.
Help me to see every challenge and trial as an opportunity to experience the cross and release Your life.
Strengthen me to choose Your will over my own, even when it is difficult.
Let the power of Your resurrection life flow through me as I embrace the cross, Amen.