Jesus in Luke 9:23 said, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Let’s notice an interesting implication in this concept of cross bearing.
People who were to be crucified, were made to carry their own cross to the place of the execution, John 19:17, And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: They would be lead through the public streets and then be crucified in a public location, Lk.23:27ff. As folks would watch those soldiers take away the criminal(s), they knew that these people were to be executed, and that they were on a one way mission, they would not be coming back! And herein is a point for us to consider, when we take up our cross and follow Jesus, we ought to be on a one way mission. Jesus would say later on in Luke 9, ANo man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.vs.62. Indeed our desire and commitment should be this: is that when would take hold of the cross in becoming a Christian, that must realize that we are on a one way mission. The devil will seek to get us to throw in the towel and to quit. But with resolve of heart, may we ever be found in cross bearing, that we may enjoy crown wearing in the time to come. Are you on this one way mission?
—Dan McKibben
