Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24 NKJV)
What cross are you bearing today? “We don’t know what crosses we will have to bear.” My cousin referred to my vision impairment and her poor health as we parted ways at the cemetery after my mom’s graveside service over a decade ago.
God’s Word always has something new and enlightening to show us As I studied our focal verse, I realized cross-bearing has nothing to do with disabilities or illness. It doesn’t refer to the trials we endure. Instead, we bear a cross in order to crucify our flesh daily.
Let’s unpack this verse and discover the treasures about genuine cross-bearing. The verse begins with the word then, so what happened to provoke this declaration from Jesus? Peter had rebuked Christ, and Jesus said, “Get behind Me, Satan!” (Matthew 16:23). In the presence of Jesus, Peter spoke from the flesh and the devil. How often do we do that without realizing it?
If Peter desired to come after Christ, if the disciples desired to come after Him, and if we desire to come after Him, we must first deny ourselves. According to Strong’s concordance, the Greek word for that phrase means “to deny utterly, disown, and abstain.” Jesus commanded His disciples then and now to totally remove ourselves from our flesh. We must walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh.
We take up the cross in order to crucify our humanity. That includes a daily crucifixion of the flesh with its selfish desires, ambitions, and lusts. We must exchange our dreams and plans for His purposed plans. Once we do that, we can follow Christ. One of the definitions for follow in Strong’s concordance says “to be in the same way with.” In order for us to grow in the Spirit and live the abundant life in victory, we must overcome the flesh.
Each morning, ask Christ to help you crucify the flesh. Nail flesh to the cross and walk in the Spirit, a place of spiritual growth and maturity. Don’t be so flesh driven that you cannot be Spirit led. When we do this, Jesus will give us bigger and better dreams and ambitions because they will be His desires and ambitions, and they exceed anything we ever desired.
Lord Jesus, put my flesh to death right now. Remove the fleshly desires, and replace them with Your plans for me. Assist me in walking them out. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
DIG DEEPER
Read Matthew 10:38 NKJV:
And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
HIKING THE TRAIL
Ask God to reveal the desires of your flesh, even in the momentary events of your day. What is one thing you know needs to be crucified today? Pray and ask Christ to help You release it.
RELATED RESOURCE
A major help in putting the flesh to death is the armor of God. Get a beautiful printable prayer guide based on the armor of God here.
Originally posted on January 24, 2022 @ 3:01 am
This is a God wink moment my friend! For the last few days, I have thought about how so much of what Jesus said to the people and especially his disciples that went over their heads. They did not have a New Testament like we do. Jesus referred to the bread being his body, broken for them. The cup is is blood and think of Him when they drank from it. We 100% understand because we have the NT. Jesus was still alive and had not died yet. They really did not fully grasp the fact He was going to die. And the idea of taking up your cross and follow Him…the cross was a Roman punishment for criminals. Once again, we have the NT and the entire story, they did not. I am sure they thought, Jesus is not a criminal so he will not die on a cross. We have the advantage they did not. Even though they walked with Jesus they never fully understood what He taught, not until He indeed was crucified, died and rose again. But up until the events took place, they did not understand what taking up your cross truly meant.
I see you are awake too. You are absolutely correct. Thank you for such amazing insight.