If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. - Matthew 16:24

What does it mean, for someone to "take up his cross"? What is the cross?

In churches, on posters, we see crosses as the symbol of our faith, that our sins are forgiven, and that we have been cleansed from all unrighteousness. But think about how we received this gift of grace.

The cross is the epitome of pain and suffering. In the times of the Romans, the cross was used to punish the most heinous of crimes, and is the cruellest death possible for any man. After a man was flogged (the standard was 39 lashes, with a whip that cuts and rips flesh to the bone), he would then have to carry a wooden beam, weighing 40-50 kg, across town, to the place of crucifixion. After being nailed to the cross, his blood supply would slowly drip away, until there would not be enough oxygen circulated to the body, suffocating over hours.

Our Lord Jesus went through all that, without having committed any crime, but out of love. He knew what He would go through, the pain and the suffering, the mutilation and the humiliation, but went through with it.

Out of love.

For us, we need to lay down our pride and replace it with humility, our self-love and replace it with self-sacrifice. For the people around us, our friends and our enemies, the ones we love, we need to save them. To reach out to them when they are lost, and to help them find their way again. It can get tough, and the burden can get heavy, but we need to carry on, pulling others through.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. - Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus went willingly to His death, like a lamb to the slaughter. We have a choice, to bear this burden for others. Be it evangelism, or helping others grow deeper, or your ministry, in the end our goal is the same as Christ's. To help people connect with God and learn about Him. This is our ultimate purpose in life.

Remember, that no matter what happens, no matter how difficult it may get, God will be with us, day after day after day, right up to the end. Even when you fall, He's always there with open arms to pick you up.

So, will you take up your cross?