Read Matthew 16:24-26
ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20 NLT).
Sam sat in the break room, his hands wrapped around a mug of coffee. The fluorescent lights buzzed softly above, casting a sterile glow over the room. He sighed heavily, the weight of his frustrations evident on his face. Across from him, his coworker, Sarah, stirred her tea absently.
“You know, Sarah,” Sam began, his voice weary, “this job is just such a cross to bear. The long hours, the demanding boss, the constant deadlines—it’s like I can never catch a break.”
Sarah nodded sympathetically. “I hear you, Sam. And then there’s my daily commute. Two hours in traffic—it’s incredibly draining.”
Their conversation ebbed and flowed, each of them venting about the challenges they faced in their respective lives. Yet, as they commiserated over their struggles, a subtle discomfort lingered beneath the surface—a nagging feeling that perhaps they were trivializing something far more profound than mere inconvenience.
In Luke 9:23, Jesus says, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” These words, along with Matthew 16:24-26, echo with a solemn call to discipleship—a call to radical self-denial and unwavering commitment to Christ’s example of sacrificial love.
Galatians 2:20 (NLT) expresses the essence of this: “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
In the song “Cross to Bear” by Demon Hunter, the lyrics challenge the casual use of the phrase “cross to bear” to describe everyday struggles. The song emphasizes that many people claim significant burdens without truly understanding the depth of real suffering. One striking lyric, “Not one of you bastards has a cross to bear,” underscores this point, urging listeners to consider the true weight of bearing a cross for Christ.
The lyrics echo a solemn call to discipleship, urging us to consider the true weight and significance of this calling. They remind us that while our burdens may be heavy, they pale in comparison to the sacrifice of Jesus. Instead of trivializing our struggles, we are called to embrace sacrificial love, unwavering commitment, and genuine devotion in all that we do.
When we encounter difficulties, we can turn to prayer, seeking strength and guidance from the one who bore the ultimate burden on the cross. Through prayer, we invite Christ into our struggles, allowing his presence to transform our hearts and minds, and empowering us to face adversity with grace and courage.
Furthermore, our commitment to bearing our cross daily extends beyond our individual experiences to encompass our relationships with others and our engagement with the world around us. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody his love and compassion in all that we do, reaching out to those in need, standing up for justice and righteousness, and striving to build a kingdom of God’s peace and reconciliation here on earth.
Each day presents us with opportunities to live out our faith in tangible ways, whether it’s showing kindness to a coworker, forgiving a friend who has wronged us, or sacrificing our own desires for the sake of someone in need. These seemingly small acts of obedience and love are the essence of bearing our cross daily, as we follow in the footsteps of our Savior who gave everything for us.
As we navigate the challenges of life, may we never lose sight of the profound significance of bearing our cross for Christ. May we embrace each opportunity to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him with unwavering devotion and commitment. And may our lives be a testament to the transformative power of Christ’s love, shining brightly in a world in need of hope and redemption.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Bearing a cross for Christ means embracing true sacrifice and commitment, far beyond common human struggles. It doesn’t mean neglecting self-care, but rather putting God’s will before our own.PRAYER
Lord, grant us the wisdom to discern the true significance of bearing our cross for you. Help us to embrace sacrificial love, unwavering commitment, and genuine devotion in all that we do. Amen.
Devotion written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.