Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus!

^“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?”

Matt 16:24-26

When Jesus looked into the eyes of his “twelve” and said “take up your cross and follow me”, it wasn’t going to be a very metaphorical cross. Most of them would indeed die for the truth they were discovering. Andrew died on a cross and so did Peter. Bartholomew was skinned alive. James son of Zebedee was beheaded. The other James beaten to death. Thomas run through with a lance. Mattias stoned and beheaded. Matthew killed with a sword. Thaddeus was shot with an arrow and Phillip was hanged. All for this incredible Gospel they knew to be true, and for the love of their “older brother” Jesus.

They immersed themselves in a new reality. Jesus was THE Way, the Truth and the Life, and they were going to live for Him, and even die for Him. This world held little for them. They were now living for eternity.

Now I hope for you, that your obedience will not lead to martyrdom, and yet with a true eternal perspective, we would see that immense reward comes from our full baptism into God’s will – even if it leads to the end of our life on earth.

Someone posted a photo and article on my Facebook page a while ago, which showed the hanging of a Christian pastor. A broad smile stretched across his wonderful face right the way through the build up, only drooping to a lifeless stare once he had died. There was more joy on that mans face as the noose was placed over his head, than most faces in church on a Sunday morning!

It is amazing isn’t it, that while many around the world are dying for their faith, many of us won’t live for Him.

Martin Luther said “A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing, and suffers nothing, is worth nothing.”

What is the value of your religion? Many like the idea of serving God and enjoying a fruitful destiny – as one writer said

“Many wish to serve God, but in an advisory capacity only!”

What about you?

William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army was going blind and his son was tasked with telling him the news that he would not see again. “Do you mean that I am blind?” the General asked. “I hear we must contemplate that,” his son replied.

“Son”, said General Booth, “I have done what I could for God and for His people with my eyes. Now I shall do what I can for God without my eyes”.

When we live by this utter immersion into God’s will, it is true that there are days when it costs us everything, and our sobs of burial ring as worship in heaven. But let me assure you, everyone that suffers, will also know God’s immense Glory. His favour. His blessing in life.

I choose to take up my cross daily and follow Jesus! I deny myself, lay down my own desires, and choose to walk in full obedience to His will (Luke 9:23). I declare that my life is no longer my own—I have been bought with a price, and I live to glorify God in all that I do (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). I willingly surrender my comforts, ambitions, and plans to walk in the path He has set before me.

I will not fear trials or persecution, for I am strengthened by Christ. Though the road may be narrow and the cost great, I press on, knowing that my reward is eternal (Matthew 7:14, 2 Timothy 4:7-8). I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me (Galatians 2:20). His power sustains me, His Spirit guides me, and His grace is sufficient for every step of my journey.

Join us for a day to seek God’s face, get lost in worship, hear His voice, receive prophetic ministry, be stirred and inspired by Jarrod Cooper’s teaching, to embrace all God is doing at the start of this new era.

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