Reflections on the Cross

“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

The cross is such a prolific symbol in our culture, it is possible that we have failed to fully grasp its meaning. We understand it has a religious connotation, but maybe not really sure why. Historically, politicians, kingdoms, conquerors and inquisitors, bigots and racists, have misappropriated the symbol of the cross. It has been fictionalized and mythologized with no reference to its actual context. The symbol of the cross can easily be distorted to mean something very different than what it meant in the time of Jesus. When his disciples heard Jesus say, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” - what did they envision? “Taking up the cross” was a recognizable point in the gruesome process of crucifixion, where the accused bore their crossbeam on their bloodied back to the place of execution. The symbol of the cross meant a commitment to death. What kind of death? Symbolically, death to self, ‘give up your own way’. Many of Jesus’ followers also died physically, martyrs for the cause of Christ. However, with or without the threat of persecution for our faith, Jesus’ call is the same: “Give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” When we wear a cross, display the cross in our sanctuary, or have artwork with the symbol of the cross - it should remind us of the freedom Jesus bought for us when he was crucified. And it should keep us ever conscious of our lifetime commitment to follow Jesus, bearing our cross daily.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the cross. Help me to give up my own way and carry my cross daily. Help me not drain the cross of its power in my life or others by misusing the symbol. Thank you for the invitation to follow you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scripture References: Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.