STATIONS OF THE CROSS - EASTER PLANUzorak

JESUS ACCEPTS THE CROSS

Carrying the cross to His crucifixion, Jesus went up to the place called Golgotha (also called Calvary), which means "the place of the skull," outside Jerusalem. In front of soldiers and bystanders, He knew He was carrying the cross to His death. 

Jesus predicted His death for the first time in the Gospel of Matthew. He told His disciples that if anyone came after Him, they would have to deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Him. What exactly did Jesus mean by that? 

In Jesus' day, a cross was a symbol of death. Romans crucified thousands of people on a cross. To deny or "die to self" means to put to death your plans and desires and commit yourself daily to Jesus' will for your life. That may sound difficult to some, but such is the character of a faithful follower of Christ. You can't truly follow Christ if you continue to be more interested in yourself. When you come to Christ, you have to be willing to see your old life crucified with Christ and begin to live anew in obedience to Him.