Take Up Your Cross Series

[IMAGE] Philippine Passion Play - practice of literally crucifying people (voluntarily).

The practice began in 1962 after a popular play about Jesus’ death.

One man, Ruben Enaje, (as of 2019) had been hung on a cross 33 times.

Many men and women have voluntarily submitted to temporary crucifixion at various Holy Week observances over the years.

Others carry full-sized wooden crosses for long distances or allow themselves to be whipped as Jesus was at his trial.

The Catholic church, understandably, does not condone this practice.

Is this what Jesus meant when he told us that to follow him meant to carry a cross every day?

Unlikely. Context of hanging/crucifixion in his world.

Horrifying to Jewish people.

Deuteronomy 21:22–23 NLT

22 “If someone has committed a crime worthy of death and is executed and hung on a tree, 23 the body must not remain hanging from the tree overnight. You must bury the body that same day, for anyone who is hung is cursed in the sight of God. In this way, you will prevent the defilement of the land the Lord your God is giving you as your special possession.

Equally horrifying to Romans. Reserved for the worst crimes and never used on Roman citizens.

Shameful torture and death.

With this in mind, what in the world does Jesus want us to do? He is clear that we can’t truly follow Him until we figure this out.

The context of Jesus’ provocative command is found in Mark 8.31-32

Mark 8:31–32 NLT

31 Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead. 32 As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things.

Peter, apparently speaking for the disciples, denies that Jesus should die. This isn’t Peter’s view of what a Messiah should do.

Jesus rebukes Peter , calling him Satan (or accuser). He forces Peter to recognize that he has the wrong point of view.

Peter wants to follow Jesus on his own terms and for his own agenda.

Jesus calls not only the Twelve but the crowd over to hear what true discipleship will mean.

Three Action Items

Mark 8:34 NLT

34 Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.

Give up (deny) self

Take up your cross

Follow (only) Jesus

Accept the Paradox

Mark 8:35–37 NLT

35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. 36 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? 37 Is anything worth more than your soul?

Dying to self is true life in Christ.

But living in a false sense of security in this life leads to death.

This is consequence of NOT following Jesus.

Shouldering Our Crosses

Lovingly Confront the world

Philippians 2:1-4

Accept suffering in the name of Jesus

2 Corinthians 12:7–10

Confront the sin inside

Colossians 3:5–10

Wrap Up

Deny self - “not give in to what is passing through my mind right now.”

Carry your cross - Confront your world in love, accept that following Jesus has consequences, confront the sin inside.

Follow Jesus. And live.