Today, on our way to passion week, we conclude our 4-part teaching series called “The Tough Sayings of Jesus.”

Throughout this series we want to navigate our way through some of Jesus’ most challenging declarations- yes, the uncomfortable ones too. Jesus wasn’t trying to create likes and follows on his social media account when he said controversial or uncomfortable things. He was communicating truth, guidance and direction for his followers.

Our goal is not to somehow transform these texts into something easier to swallow. They were challenging 2000 years ago when Jesus said them, and they will always be that way, long after this series.

Today we focus on "Take Up Your Cross".

Jesus' expectation is clear:
1. Deny themselves
-The Greek word for “deny” in verse 23 – arneomai –Is the same word used when Peter denies Jesus. To deny yourself is, simply, to turn on, betray your self. That's the implication here.
-The Bible sometimes calls the self our flesh.
-This ideal of denying self (betraying self) is an intentional decision to not move away from self as the primary motivation.
2. Take up their cross
-To “take up one’s cross” referred to the practice of forcing a condemned person to carry the cross beam to his execution site. This showed that the condemned person was now completely conquered. Their last act in this world is carrying the instrument that would lead to their death.
-Jesus is painting a picture here of suffering. Of a journey that will lead to pain.

I realize “taking up our cross” may sound strange or vague at first, but for me it’s meant breaking old habits to create space in my heart for new growth. It’s meant moving beyond a plastic Christian checklist … Go to church. Read the Bible. Don’t cuss. Be nice. Pray. Give to the poor … and letting God mess with any and every area of my life.
Lysa TerKeurst

Ultimately Jesus is painting a picture here of complete and total surrender.

The tension in this text is that there are many who consider themselves a disciple of Jesus, but who are not completely and totally surrendered.

"If your life isn’t cross-centered, it’s off-centered".
Ann Voskamp

Verses for further study/reflection:
Mark 8:34
Matthew 10:38
Galatians 5:24
Luke 14:26
Philippians 2:3-8