This time specifically, I wanted to know what he meant when he said, "Take up your cross and follow me." (Luke 9:23). Many people interpret that verse as saying that we must carry our biggest burden alone, all the days of our life until we get to Calvary. I don't necessarily believe that.
I believe that it means that our cross does represent all of our pain, our shame and our guilt. It represents our own crucifixion. What we have crucified ourselves for and what others will crucify us for when it becomes known to them. It represents the sin and/or pain that we have felt trapped by and unforgiveness from. -The sin that we have given to God and but then also found his redemption.
That horizontal bar is an indication that we must go and and testify about how awesome our God is and about how he personally has touched and renewed our lives by his saving grace. We should be ready to testify to everyone because we may never know who it is that needs to hear it. Who it is that is still trapped by that same sin. Who it is that desperately needs redemption from that same dark place.
We need to be prepared to give that account to anyone at all times (1st Peter 3:15). Our testimonies are not just about introducing people to a God that they have never heard about. It's about being a witness to what you have seen him do in your own life that confirms that he is real and available to anyone that desires him.
Even the devil believes that there is a God (James 2:19). There are "believers" everywhere, inside the church and out. Even so, believing in him and experiencing his salvation are two totally different things and for some, Jesus is just too far... Too far to have to say out loud "Here I am".
He's too far and to have to utter out loud the ugliness inside, because others might also hear it. He's too far for those who have been wrestling with themselves all the days through and they are exhausted. He is too far for some to believe that he would come down from the heavens and rescue them because they feel so unworthy.
We have to testify for them:
"I have seen the glory of God in my life and in my soul."
"You don't have to hide because he knows who you are and he wants you near him. -With him."
"It's safe to come out and I know this because, here is what I have done and and where I have been and I know that he loves you because he loves even me."
And in doing so, we are taking that cross and laying down at the feet of those who need it, so that they can use it as a bridge to travel over. So that they can see that they too, can receive his love and salvation. So, that they can understand that his redemption really is there and already waiting and it's free to every one that believes. He paid the price when he hung down the length of that other bar for all of the world to see.
***
Interestingly enough, last week in class, someone said that they heard that you should never ask for wisdom. Then I found verse (Proverbs 4:7 NIV), "Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding." My original verse of Luke 9:23 is also followed by, "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it..."
Part of "Taking up your cross" is being willing to sacrifice your reputation, your ego, your comfort. I am sure that there are circumstances where a real physical death must occur. But mostly, I think that giving up your "life" means that we need to become uncomfortable at some point in our faith walk. If we really believe what we say that we do, how do we work it in our own life? Are we willing to carry a cross and reveal our secrets, even if we lose friends, jobs, and reputations because of it? ...Crucifixion.
I can see now how someone would say that we shouldn't ask for wisdom. Sometimes, when we ask God for clarification of something, like this verse, he might also want us to do something with that information. We have to apply it. We have to use it, otherwise, of this all has been written in vain.
With that being said and having no easy way to say this, I am going to offer my cross to you.
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