Word for the Day

In the book of Luke 9:23, Jesus makes a radical statement to His disciples. He says, "if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." 

First, Jesus said that one would have to have a desire that was radical. That desire would be so far fetched that it would compel a man to do racial things, like deny himself of the things he desired, to put to death any future or worldly desires. Then Jesus said that same person would have to take up his own personal cross. Not the cross Jesus bore because He was the only one who could bear those things which he bore. To follow Christ, one will find that he will not have one cross but many. It's as if there is a new one everyday. But Jesus said to be a disciple one would have to be willing to bear those crosses daily. Not just on Sunday, but to carry it daily wherever one might go, in whatever one might face daily, having no place to lay one's cross aside or down, but to carry it daily. 

To be a disciple is not a part time occupation, it's a radical desire that causes one to lay aside the things of this world, of one's flesh, and of one's own personal goals and ambitions, which is known as the pride of life. Very few will choose this lifestyle; very few will desire such a burden; very few are able to bear such a cross. But for the few who are willing to take up such a cross, those can be known as disciples of the living Christ. And in that, he will find everlasting life. 

Luke 9:24-27