Journey WitnessesSample

Chapter 16 of Matthew is usually recognized as Peter’s confession of Jesus as Messiah, but we also see in this passage Jesus’ first prediction of His crucifixion. And this serves as a teachable moment for the disciples regarding the cost of following Jesus. Immediately following Jesus’ rebuke of Peter (v. 23). He turns to the rest of the disciples to remind them that suffering must be before glory, and humiliation before exaltation. 

The imagery of the cross is horrifying to think about—especially for the first-century Roman world. The notion of picking up one’s cross is likely derived from the requirement of a criminal to literally pick up the crossbeam and carry it to this execution. In one sense Jesus is speaking figuratively about one’s spiritual life and the act of self-denial. However, in this context, Jesus is also speaking of the disciples giving their lives for the gospel. 

There is a cost to being a witness for Christ. We may be rejected by family and friends. We may even be persecuted for our faith and make the ultimate sacrifice for Christ. But remember that this was a sacrifice that God Himself was willing to make. He experienced weakness and hunger; He was rejected and ultimately killed. Christ’s sacrifice was more than we could ever imagine, bearing the sins of the world. For that, we owe Him everything.