Brad B. - Taking up my cross for me is a life of leaving familiarity, family and friends in exchange for the privilege of being manifest presence of Jesus in dirt and blood, where metal hits meat, in the lives of young men and women, in the service of theKing.
Carolyn B. - It means to forget yourself and focus your time & energy on "thy kingdom come, thy will be done."
Micah B. - Self Denial and Sacrifice in a daily, excruciatingly focused fight to use all our resources to make Christ known.
Steve C. -To die to my personal agenda and embrace his by faith.
Tracy T. "Wow, I have heard that verse all of my life and thought I knew the meaning. However, to put it into my own words puts a whole new spin on it. I believe the cross symbolizes our day to day struggles and temptations on this earth. Jesus says to follow him and his teachings to help guide us though this worldly life."
Glenna S. - Taking up my cross and following Jesus means that "I am willing to be identified with Jesus regardless of ridicule, shame or persecution, even death".
Martha C. -To sum it up, the hardest aspect of my relationship with Christ is giving him complete control and forgetting about all the things I know, but it's the best part, because in doing this, I get to know something better.
Jonathan C.-The cross symbolizes the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus' death. I believe that we take up our cross by dying to ourselves and sacrificing our worldly life, then following Jesus until we meet him on that glorious day.
Noah H. -Even though most would say to ask Jesus in your heart it means more that just words, it means actions. Anybody can ask him in to his heart but few can live for him.
Rachel G. - To take up your cross and follow Jesus means to give your life and everything it holds to Jesus and give up all control. Your cross is serving Jesus in all that you do.
Heather O. - I think it means to live out your days with a smile on your face and Jesus Christ in your heart. It means to be a role model for others through him and to be what the definition of Christian is which is "little Christ." That's what it means to take up your cross and follow Jesus:)
Jaden J. - Doing what is right even when it may not be the popular choice. That's what it feels like to me especially in high school and college.
D.J. M. - To Fear Him, To Love Him, To Desire Him in all ways, but most importantly to be totally devoted to Him, giving your entire life to Him!
Hudson T. - To live for Christ.
Tony A. - I would say that to take up the cross, would mean.... to live one's life applying the loving advice of our Father set out in His word. and to live our life as Christ lived.
Bill S. - "Faith and obedience!"
Dana F. - "Let every decision, every action, every interaction reflect Christ not what I think, but, Biblically, is it what Christ thinks? To pray that God would show you His will for your life, and be TRULY open to the unvieling of it."
Trey M. - “To pick up your cross, we must first recognize the punishment and severity of the cross. As one would have carried his cross to the place where he would be crucified, people would have mocked them, spit on them, and completely demoralized them. In this, as they are carrying their cross, they have given up all of their hopes, dreams, ideals, and wishes, and it's all about the cross and what's to come. So, as we are called to carry our cross, we must realize that it's about dying to ourselves, our wants, the loves of this world, and as Christ did, realize it has to be all about loving and obeying the Father's will for our lives. May we not just be simple wearers of the cross, but actually be willing to bear the cross and say "Father, to the point of death, I will follow and obey You!"
Sylvia B. - There are two questions -- To Take Up Your Cross means to trust that what I ask in His name with thanksgiving will be provided; and Follow Jesus means He gave each of us 'freedom' to decide to be obedient to His word. Great Question(s).
Gary J. - The cross was probably a rough cut lumber and heavy, our burdens can also be heavy and have sharp edges at times. But if we can put those troubles on our backs and follow the one who died for us in the end there will be a GREAT reward!!!!! As HE rose from the dead so will we!!!
Where, O death, is your victory?
Daniel W. - To "take up our cross" is not a spiritual cliche nor some hip, cultural motto to draw attention to the Christian. Rather, it transcends the opinions and fads around us so that the church may be more intimate with her Head so as to identify with the Suffering Servant. Jesus suffered so as to serve, and it took him to the cross. The church is called to walk a similar path. But praise be to God that the resolution to Jesus' cross-bearing was the glory of the resurrection, which will also be our remedy!
Heidi L. - "Unreservedly embrace salvation & every trial that a Christ-follower will inevitably face in the pursuit of God & holiness"
Sandra D. - "Put Jesus first in every part of your life."
Jeanne A. - "... I have been thinking about your question. Woke up early this morning and went to my Bible. Before Jesus said "take up his cross" he said, "if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself..." so in order to be a follower, we must put our own lives, our wills literally on the cross, as Jesus did. Taking up a cross in his time meant certain death...and so I think that we must die to ourselves and surrender all. And the cost may be great. But look what Jesus bore for us. Amazing!!
