A Cross?

Mark 8:34-37 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37 Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”
 
WE truly do not know how horrible the cross is. You can read of its terrible effects on the human body and know the cross was the worst execution reserved for Rome’s worst criminals. But we have never watched a man die a tortured death on a cross.
   But the Jews did. How do you think they responded when Jesus spoke his “cross-taking-up” words? They may have wondered if Jesus was calling them to active rebellion against Rome. Crucifixion was designed to constrain open rebellion and sedition. Was Jesus the awaited Messiah calling his people to arms? Perhaps at these words some began to walk away. Not many were willing to die for their country.
   But then Jesus called us to a different kind of death. Jesus came to lead Israel into a rebellion against the Evil One, so they could safely dwell in the kingdom of God.
   So he told them how to get there. He told that to grasp the ultimate good news one had to first deny himself the worldly prizes and pleasures he desired. He must lose his life for me, so he will lose his life for the gospel. How is it the good news requires dying and losing?
   Stop then and consider what is wrong in your life. Are those things there because you’ve made some wrong choices? Do certain habits keep you from abundantly possessing Jesus’ saving truth? If you’ve answered, “Yes.” to one or both of these questions, then it’s time to die to those obstacles. It’s time to trust Jesus to raise your life toward his.
   Your LORD God knows the many things that blind and deafen you to his truth. From the day Eve desired the forbidden fruit, mankind’s mindset is to desire the things of this world far above the things of God. This spiritual war has caused great conflict. Through the ages God has called many, many martyrs who took up their cross of faith to wage the holy war. Following Jesus means being willing to die for the kingdom of God. Jesus died for you, so why wouldn’t we die for him?
   Denying yourself and dying to the world is the only way you can truly obey Exodus 20:3-5 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.”  
   Die to yourself, so you worship only God.