A Cross To Bear

Today's short message covers a very uncomfortable and unpopular subject. However, I would be remiss to only give you the tasty treats of the gospel and leave out the meat and veggies, good for your spiritual health and sustenance. I am talking about bearing your cross of suffering.

Jesus was loved and accepted by many as He went about healing the sick, delivering the oppressed, and raising the dead. But He was hated by most because their sins were exposed as He came near to them. It was not His teaching alone but also His amazing presence that convicted sinners and gave them an awareness of their own shameful lives. Isn't it the same today as the world no longer wants the Ten Commandments in the public square or prayer in schools? Now they are trying to silence preachers in their own churches on Sunday mornings!

Jesus gave us fair warning that because we are His followers we too will be hated by this world. "And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved." - Matt. 10:22. His command is that we endure in the face of adversity, which means 'to continue in the same state; to remain firm under suffering'. Just as Christ Himself bore a cross of shame and rejection for us, we too have a responsibility as His followers to bear our crosses daily, identifying ourselves with Him. It starts with us removing our own selfish desires out of the way to make room for His. Jesus said it this way, "...if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." - Luke 9:23.

My friends, let me encourage you to stand through whatever comes at you for being identified with Jesus. He said in verse 26, "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory...". The truth is the world will hate us because it hates Him! Nevertheless, let must stand without fear and without shame. The Apostle Paul said in Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes...".

Do not be taken by surprise when people dislike you for being a Christian. Know that when you show up on the scene you bring the presence of God with you, and this will make them uneasy. Let's boldly bear our crosses for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who first bore it for us!

Be Blessed!