Well, here I
am, Lord. You said "Take up
your cross," and I'm here to do it. It's
not easy, you know, this self-denial thing. I mean to go through with it
though, yes sir! I'll bet you wish
more people were willing to be disciples like me.
I've counted the cost and surrendered my life, and it's not an easy
road.
You
mind if I look over these crosses? I'd
kind of like a new one. I'm not fussy, you understand; but a disciple has to
be relevant these days.
I was
wondering -- are there any that are vinyl padded?
I'm thinking of attracting others, see?
And if I could show them a comfortable cross, I'm sure I could win a
lot more. Got to keep up with the
population explosion and all.
And I
need something durable so I can treasure it always.
Oh, is there one that's sort of flat so it would fit under my coat? One
shouldn't be too obvious.
Funny,
there doesn't seem to be much choice here.
Just that coarse, rough wood. I
mean that would hurt. Don't you
have something more distinctive, Lord? I
can tell you right now, none of my friends are going to be impressed by this
shoddy workmanship. They'll think
I'm a nut or something. And my
family will be just mortified.
What's
that? It's either one of these or
forget the whole thing? But Lord, I want to be your disciple, I mean, just
being with you; that's all that counts; but life has to have a balance, too.
But you don't understand -- nobody lives that way today! Who is going
to be attracted by this self-denial bit? I
mean, I want to; but let's not over do it.
Start getting radical like this, and they'll have me off to the funny
farm. Know what I mean?
I mean
being a disciple is challenging and exciting and I want to do it; but I do
have some rights, you know. Now
let's see -- no blood -- OK? I
just can't stand the thought of that, Lord... Lord? Jesus?
Now
where do you suppose He went?
What kind of a cross do you want to carry?
You do want to carry one don’t you?
We always try to take the easiest way.
It's human nature to try to find the shortest route and the best road
to get us to where we want to go. It's
our nature to avoid any pain or hardship.
Our roads have gone from mud trails to super highways.
We continue to improve them to make sure that were doing all that we
possibly can to take the fastest, the smoothest, and the least painful route
to where we are going. Is there a
shortcut to heaven? The devil
tempted Jesus with this shortcut when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness.
He told Jesus that if he would bow to the devil he would
be given all the riches and wonders of the world.
But Jesus rejected his offer.
To reject the devils deal Jesus would have to bear his cross.
To all those who would follow the way of the Lord he then gives this
challenge. He says to deny
ourselves and pick up our cross and follow him.
Are we willing to follow the Lord?
Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone? Are
you willing to pick up yours?
Scripture
Text: Matt 16:21
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must
go unto
Jerusalem
, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes,
and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and
began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto
thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou
art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but
those that be of men. 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man]
will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow
me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose
his life for my sake shall find it.
1.
I am surrendering all of my life and I am willing to follow the
Christ.
2.
I am willing to go where he wants me to go.
3.
I am willing to say what he wants me to say.
4.
I am willing to do (and give) what he wants me to do (and give).
5.
I am willing to be what he wants me to be.
6.
I am willing to give my life for others even my enemies.
7.
I am willing to suffer for my Lord.
8.
I am willing to sacrifice myself so that others may come to know
Him.
9.
I am not going to complain, but I will be thankful that I have
been chosen.
10.
I am willing to put my life in the hands of God and the hands of
others.
11.
I am not going to inflict suffering on my self for my own glory.
12.
I am going to serve Christ which may lead me into areas of pain
in my life.
13.
I am willing to spend my self - time, talent, and treasures to
further the gospel.
14.
I am going to give my best to Jesus and not just give him the
leftovers.
15.
I am willing to go by myself knowing that Jesus is my strength
and his Spirit is my guide.
16.
I am willing
to accept the cross of shame when it is laid on me by others.
17.
I am not going
to crucify anyone else but seek to lift them up.
18.
I am willing
to go where I have never been as the Lord leads me.
19.
I am willing
to change to be whom God wants me to be.
20.
I am willing to give
my life to Jesus for the sake of others because I am looking forward to the
Joy that is promised to me from the resurrected Lord!