Title
Take Up Your Cross
Scripture
Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
(Luke 14:27)
Devotional
"When the Roman Empire crucified a criminal or captive, the victim was often forced to carry his cross part of the way to the crucifixion site. Carrying his cross through the heart of the city was supposed to be a tacit admission that the Roman Empire was correct in the sentence of death imposed on him, an admission that Rome was right and he was wrong. So when Jesus enjoined His followers to carry their crosses and follow Him, He was referring to a public display before others that Jesus was right and that the disciples were following Him even to their deaths."[23] This admonition for disciples is repeated throughout the gospels and the rest of the New Testament. It is a command that calls the disciple to die to self and live for Christ. Galatians 2:20 says it so very well, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."[24]