Jesus was demanding we carry the cross

JESUS WAS DEMANDING WE CARRY THE CROSS
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
Luke 14:27 27And whoever does not carry their cross
and followme cannotbe my disciple.
BIBLEHUB RESOURCES
Christ And Kindred
Luke 14:26
W. Clarkson
The circumstances under which these words were spokenwill explain the
strength of the language used. Jesus Christ saidthat he came "not to send
peace on earth, but a sword," by which he meant that the first effectof the
introduction of his Divine truth would be (as he said) to setthe members of
the same family at variance againstone another, and to make a man's foes to
be "they of his own household" (Matthew 10:34-36). Byhonouring and
acknowledging him as the Messiahofthe Jews and as the Redeemerof
mankind, his disciples would excite the bitterest enmity in the minds of their
own kindred; they would be obliged to actas if they hated them, causing them
the keenestdisappointment and the severestsorrow. Theywould be compelled
to act as if they hated their own life also, for they would take a step which
would remove all comfort and enjoyment from it, and make it valueless if not
miserable. On the relation of Jesus Christ and his gospelto human kindred, it
may be said that Christianity -

I. DISALLOWS PARENTAL TYRANNY. Such unmitigated authority as the
Roman law gave to the parent over the child is not sanctioned, but implicitly
condemned, by Jesus Christ. No human being is wise enough or goodenough
to exercise suchprerogative;and to yield such deference is to cede the
responsibility which our Creatorhas laid upon us, and which cannot be
devolved.
II. DISALLOWS FILIAL WORSHIP. Suchidolatrous homage as the children
of the Chinese render to their parents is also distinctly unchristian; it is giving
to the creature what is due only to the Creator. It is to elevate the human
above its lawful level.
III. SANCTIONS AND ENJOINS FILIAL DEVOTEDNESS.Our Lord
himself severelycondemned the perversity of the Pharisees, who contrived to
evade filial obligations by sacredsubtleties (Mark 7:9-13). And amid the
physical agonies and the spiritual struggles and sufferings of the cross he
found time to commend his mother to the care of" the beloved disciple." His
apostles explicitly enjoined filial obedience (Ephesians 6:1). And entering into
the profounder spirit of our Lord's teaching, we are sure that he desires of
children that they should not only be formally obedient to their parents' word,
but that they should be careful to render to them all filial respectin manner;
should have regardto their knownwill, whether uttered or unexpressed;
should render the service of love and of cheerfulness rather than of
constraint; should make their filial ministry to abound as parental health and
strength decline.
IV. RESERVES ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE FOR THE DIVINE
REDEEMER. WhenChristianity is assailing a false faith, as in the first
century, as in heathen lands to-day, it very frequently happens that disciples
have to choose betweentheir attachment to the earthly parent and their
obligations to Christ. Then the words of Jesus Christhave a literal

application; then the converthas to pass through the most severe and trying
of all conflicts;he has to weighone authority againstanother;he has to make
a decisionwhich will cause griefand wrath to one whom he would fain please
and honour. But much as the human parent may have been to him, and strong
as are his claims, the Divine Redeemeris more, and his claims are stronger
still and strongerfar. The Lord who createdhim (John 1:3; Colossians1:16);
who redeemedhim with his ownblood; who soughtand found and restored
him; who has made him an heir of eternal life; - this Lord, who has been
upholding him by his power, and who is the one Hope and Refuge ofhis soul,
has claims upon his obedience to which even those of a human parent are
utterly unequal. And when the choice has to be made, as it sometimes has even
here and now, there can be but one course which he recognizes as right; it is to
choose the side and the service of the holy Saviour; meeklybearing the heavy
cross ofdomestic severance;earnestlypraying for the time when the human
authority will be reconciledto the Divine; faithfully believing that the sacrifice
which is thus entailed will bring with it, in Christ's own time and way, a large
and abundant recompense (Mark 10:28-30). - C.
Biblical Illustrator
And whosoeverdoth not bear his cross, etc.

Luke 14:27
On taking up the cross
D. Clarkson, B. D.
— Christiani sunt cruciani, says Luther, Christians are cross-bearers. Itis in
their hearts to bear the cross, whateverit be, whensoeverChrist shall require
it; and they do actually bear it whenever they are called to it. They do not
flinch from it, nor decline it, nor turn from it, by any indirect or unlawful
course.
I. WHAT IS MEANT BY THE CROSS.
1. The cross includes loss and damage, the greatestlossesas wellas the least;
the loss of all outward things, as well as the loss of any. When Christ was
nailed to the cross, He was bereavedof all, and fastenedto it naked; He had
not so much as His garments left; they who brought Him to the cross divided
these amongstthem. He that is not willing to part with all, to follow Christ,
when he cannotfully and faithfully follow Him without quitting all, he is not
worthy of Him, unworthy the name of a Christian.
2. It speaks shame and reproach. It was serviie supplicium, a base
ignominious suffering, to which none were exposedbut the vilest of men. It
was a suffering proper to slaves and fugitives; there was not the meanest
freeman amongstthe Romans but was above it. Hence shame and the cross
are joined together(Hebrews 12:2). Hence that expression, "bearing His
reproach" (Hebrews 13:13), i.e., bearing the cross. No coming to Christ but in
this posture, when the Lord calls to it.
3. It imports pain and torture. The cross was a most grievous and painful
suffering. Ausonius calls it paenae extremum, the extremity of torture. And
Cicero, crudelissimum teterrimumque supplicium, the most cruel and horrid

suffering. When Ignatius was going to be exposedto the fury of wild beasts for
the name of Christ, he cries, "Now Ibegin to be a disciple."
4. It imports death itself. The cross was ultimum supplicium, tim lastthing
that could be suffered. Cruelty was herein terminated, and could go no
further, at leastto the sense of the sufferer. It was the worst kind of death.
II. WHAT IT IS TO BEAR THE CROSS.
1. You must make accountof it. Calculate whatit will costyou.
2. A resolutionto bear the cross, whateverit be, how heavy, or grievous, or
tedious soeverit may prove; a firm, and hearty, and settled resolutionto bear
it, is a virtual bearing of it beforehand (ver. 33).
3. You must be always ready for the cross, always preparing for it, whether it
seemnear, or whether it seemfurther off. One paraphraseththe words thus,
"Whosoeverdoth not come to Me with a preparation of mind to suffer
anything rather than part with Me, he is not for My turn." This is to bear the
cross daily, as Christ requires (Luke 9.). Though every day do not afford a
cross, yetevery day we bear the cross by daily preparing for it (1 Corinthians
15:31). Even when the cross seems faroff, much more when it is in view, you
must be preparing for it, if you be Christians indeed; and the Lord will take
your readiness to bear it for a bearing of it, when He sees goodto prevent it.
4. It speaks actualundergoing it when it is laid on us. But when the Lord
brings it to us, we must actually take it up. He is no disciple for Christ that
will not do it.

III. THE MANNER OF BEARING THE CROSS.
1. A Christian endeavours to bear the cross patiently. That while the cross
oppresses his outward man, he may possesshis soul in patience. Not the
patience of the Stoics, a senselessstupidness;nor the patience of the heathen, a
mere yielding to necessity;but a due sense of the pressure, with a quiet
submission to the hand of God, whoeverbe the instrument, without
murmuring, repining, disquietment, or despondency.
2. He endeavours to bear it cheerfully. That which is bearing the cross here is
taking up the cross (chap. Luke 9.). Christ bore His cross willingly; Simon of
Cyrene was compelledto bear that cross. Christwould have us come after
Him, bear it as He did. It should not be a forced, but a voluntary act.
3. He endeavours to bear it fruitfully. The cross is dry wood, and so was
Aaron's rod; but as that blossomed, so does this bring forth fruit, when
improved (Hebrews 12:11). This puts the followers of Christ upon seeking the
sweetfruits of peace and holiness in the bowels ofdevouring calamities; to get
spiritual gain and advantage by outward loss;to grow richer unto God by
worldly impoverishment; to converse more with God when separatedfrom
friends and relations; to value more the love of Christ when they smart by the
world's hatred; to partake more of holiness when he partakes less ofthe ease,
peace, plenty of the world; to make use of the cross forthe crucifying of the
flesh; to make sin more hateful and dreadful, the consciencemore tender, the
world less tempting, more contemptible, grace more active and lively, the
word more sweetand effectual, prayer more fervent and affectionate, the
appearing of Christ more lovely and desirable, the conversationmore
heavenly. To hear the cross as a disciple of Christ, is to bring forth more fruit
in bearing of it.

(D. Clarkson, B. D.)
The Christian's cross
D. Clarkson, B. D.
I. THE CROSS IS ORDINARILY THE LOT OF CHRISTIANS. Persecution
and troubles have always attended the people of God. And the reasons ofit
are evident.
1. The malice of Satan, who knowing himself to be castoff by God, he hates
God with an implacable hatred; and since the Lord is above the reachof his
malice, he falls upon those who are dearestto Him, the people of God.
2. The enmity of the world. The world would be sure to cross, to afflict and
persecute whatit hates;and the disciples of Christ are hated by the world
(John 15:19). Not only that part of the world which evidently lies in
wickedness, but the more refined part of it which dressethup itself in a form
of godliness. Those who have no more but the form, hate those that haw the
power, because this is a real reproofand conviction of the vanity and
insufficiency of outward forms, how specious soever;and that which detects
them is hated by them (1 John 5:19).
3. There is a necessityof the cross upon a manifold account.(1)To distinguish
true disciples from hypocrites and pretenders. When Christ may be professed
and followedwith ease, andsafety, and credit, multitudes will follow Him,
every man will profess Him whose hearts are not with Him. But when the
cross comes, thatmakes a distinction.(2) To try His disciples, that He may
have an experiment of their affectionand faithfulness to Him: "Who is on my
side? Who?" says Jehu (2 Kings 9:33). So says Christ, when He brings out the
cross;let Me now see who is for Me, let Me see who it is that will bear the

cross for Me.(3)Forthe advantage of grace. A Christian is not complete
unless he have on his whole armour; and it is the cross puts us upon putting of
it on; it would lie rusting by us, if we were not rousedto the use of it by the
frequent approaches ofthe cross.(4)To take us off from the world. The cross
embitters the world to us, and confutes those vain conceits which make us
fond of it. The vizard falls off by which it had deluded us, and now we may
perceive what aa impostor it was, when, for all its fair promises, we meet with
nothing but vanity, and enmity, and vexation, and hard usage. And will it not
seemlovely? Or can we doat on it any longer? The cross lets us not only see,
but feelwhat the world is.(5) To tame the flesh, and keepit under, which
otherwise would grow headstrong, and bear down all the restraints of grace,
and hurry us into carnal excess — "Everybranch that beareth fruit He
purgeth it" (John 15.). He lops off the luxuriances of natural corruption. And
how is this done? Why, a sharp cross will be effectual to do it, when the Lord
takes it into His hand and useth it for this purpose!(6) To endearheaven to us.
The ark was more acceptable to Noah's dove when she found no restto the
soles ofher feet on the face of the earth.
II. A CHRISTIAN CANNOT ORDINARILYAVOID THE CROSS
WITHOUT SINNING AGAINST CHRIST.
III. HE THAT WILL ORDINARILY SIN AGAINST CHRIST TO AVOID
THE CROSS, CANNOT BE A CHRISTIAN. This being proved, it will appear
an evident truth, that he that doth not, will not, bear the cross, is not, cannot
be a Christian.
COMMENTARIES

Christ And Kindred
Luke 14:26
W. Clarkson
The circumstances under which these words were spokenwill explain the
strength of the language used. Jesus Christ saidthat he came "not to send
peace on earth, but a sword," by which he meant that the first effectof the
introduction of his Divine truth would be (as he said) to setthe members of
the same family at variance againstone another, and to make a man's foes to
be "they of his own household" (Matthew 10:34-36). Byhonouring and
acknowledging him as the Messiahofthe Jews and as the Redeemerof
mankind, his disciples would excite the bitterest enmity in the minds of their
own kindred; they would be obliged to actas if they hated them, causing them
the keenestdisappointment and the severestsorrow. Theywould be compelled
to act as if they hated their own life also, for they would take a step which
would remove all comfort and enjoyment from it, and make it valueless if not
miserable. On the relation of Jesus Christ and his gospelto human kindred, it
may be said that Christianity -
I. DISALLOWS PARENTAL TYRANNY. Such unmitigated authority as the
Roman law gave to the parent over the child is not sanctioned, but implicitly
condemned, by Jesus Christ. No human being is wise enough or goodenough
to exercise suchprerogative;and to yield such deference is to cede the
responsibility which our Creatorhas laid upon us, and which cannot be
devolved.
II. DISALLOWS FILIAL WORSHIP. Suchidolatrous homage as the children
of the Chinese render to their parents is also distinctly unchristian; it is giving
to the creature what is due only to the Creator. It is to elevate the human
above its lawful level.

III. SANCTIONS AND ENJOINS FILIAL DEVOTEDNESS.Our Lord
himself severelycondemned the perversity of the Pharisees, who contrived to
evade filial obligations by sacredsubtleties (Mark 7:9-13). And amid the
physical agonies and the spiritual struggles and sufferings of the cross he
found time to commend his mother to the care of" the beloved disciple." His
apostles explicitly enjoined filial obedience (Ephesians 6:1). And entering into
the profounder spirit of our Lord's teaching, we are sure that he desires of
children that they should not only be formally obedient to their parents' word,
but that they should be careful to render to them all filial respectin manner;
should have regardto their knownwill, whether uttered or unexpressed;
should render the service of love and of cheerfulness rather than of
constraint; should make their filial ministry to abound as parental health and
strength decline.
IV. RESERVES ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE FOR THE DIVINE
REDEEMER. WhenChristianity is assailing a false faith, as in the first
century, as in heathen lands to-day, it very frequently happens that disciples
have to choose betweentheir attachment to the earthly parent and their
obligations to Christ. Then the words of Jesus Christhave a literal
application; then the converthas to pass through the most severe and trying
of all conflicts;he has to weighone authority againstanother;he has to make
a decisionwhich will cause griefand wrath to one whom he would fain please
and honour. But much as the human parent may have been to him, and strong
as are his claims, the Divine Redeemeris more, and his claims are stronger
still and strongerfar. The Lord who createdhim (John 1:3; Colossians1:16);
who redeemedhim with his ownblood; who soughtand found and restored
him; who has made him an heir of eternal life; - this Lord, who has been
upholding him by his power, and who is the one Hope and Refuge ofhis soul,
has claims upon his obedience to which even those of a human parent are
utterly unequal. And when the choice has to be made, as it sometimes has even
here and now, there can be but one course which he recognizes as right; it is to
choose the side and the service of the holy Saviour; meeklybearing the heavy
cross ofdomestic severance;earnestlypraying for the time when the human
authority will be reconciledto the Divine; faithfully believing that the sacrifice

which is thus entailed will bring with it, in Christ's own time and way, a large
and abundant recompense (Mark 10:28-30). - C.
Biblical Illustrator
And whosoeverdoth not bear his cross, etc.
Luke 14:27
On taking up the cross
D. Clarkson, B. D.
— Christiani sunt cruciani, says Luther, Christians are cross-bearers. Itis in
their hearts to bear the cross, whateverit be, whensoeverChrist shall require
it; and they do actually bear it whenever they are called to it. They do not
flinch from it, nor decline it, nor turn from it, by any indirect or unlawful
course.
I. WHAT IS MEANT BY THE CROSS.
1. The cross includes loss and damage, the greatestlossesas wellas the least;
the loss of all outward things, as well as the loss of any. When Christ was

nailed to the cross, He was bereavedof all, and fastenedto it naked; He had
not so much as His garments left; they who brought Him to the cross divided
these amongstthem. He that is not willing to part with all, to follow Christ,
when he cannotfully and faithfully follow Him without quitting all, he is not
worthy of Him, unworthy the name of a Christian.
2. It speaks shame and reproach. It was serviie supplicium, a base
ignominious suffering, to which none were exposedbut the vilest of men. It
was a suffering proper to slaves and fugitives; there was not the meanest
freeman amongstthe Romans but was above it. Hence shame and the cross
are joined together(Hebrews 12:2). Hence that expression, "bearing His
reproach" (Hebrews 13:13), i.e., bearing the cross. No coming to Christ but in
this posture, when the Lord calls to it.
3. It imports pain and torture. The cross was a most grievous and painful
suffering. Ausonius calls it paenae extremum, the extremity of torture. And
Cicero, crudelissimum teterrimumque supplicium, the most cruel and horrid
suffering. When Ignatius was going to be exposedto the fury of wild beasts for
the name of Christ, he cries, "Now Ibegin to be a disciple."
4. It imports death itself. The cross was ultimum supplicium, tim lastthing
that could be suffered. Cruelty was herein terminated, and could go no
further, at leastto the sense of the sufferer. It was the worst kind of death.
II. WHAT IT IS TO BEAR THE CROSS.
1. You must make accountof it. Calculate whatit will costyou.

2. A resolutionto bear the cross, whateverit be, how heavy, or grievous, or
tedious soeverit may prove; a firm, and hearty, and settled resolutionto bear
it, is a virtual bearing of it beforehand (ver. 33).
3. You must be always ready for the cross, always preparing for it, whether it
seemnear, or whether it seemfurther off. One paraphraseththe words thus,
"Whosoeverdoth not come to Me with a preparation of mind to suffer
anything rather than part with Me, he is not for My turn." This is to bear the
cross daily, as Christ requires (Luke 9.). Though every day do not afford a
cross, yetevery day we bear the cross by daily preparing for it (1 Corinthians
15:31). Even when the cross seems faroff, much more when it is in view, you
must be preparing for it, if you be Christians indeed; and the Lord will take
your readiness to bear it for a bearing of it, when He sees goodto prevent it.
4. It speaks actualundergoing it when it is laid on us. But when the Lord
brings it to us, we must actually take it up. He is no disciple for Christ that
will not do it.
III. THE MANNER OF BEARING THE CROSS.
1. A Christian endeavours to bear the cross patiently. That while the cross
oppresses his outward man, he may possesshis soul in patience. Not the
patience of the Stoics, a senselessstupidness;nor the patience of the heathen, a
mere yielding to necessity;but a due sense of the pressure, with a quiet
submission to the hand of God, whoeverbe the instrument, without
murmuring, repining, disquietment, or despondency.
2. He endeavours to bear it cheerfully. That which is bearing the cross here is
taking up the cross (chap. Luke 9.). Christ bore His cross willingly; Simon of

Cyrene was compelledto bear that cross. Christwould have us come after
Him, bear it as He did. It should not be a forced, but a voluntary act.
3. He endeavours to bear it fruitfully. The cross is dry wood, and so was
Aaron's rod; but as that blossomed, so does this bring forth fruit, when
improved (Hebrews 12:11). This puts the followers of Christ upon seeking the
sweetfruits of peace and holiness in the bowels ofdevouring calamities;to get
spiritual gain and advantage by outward loss;to grow richer unto God by
worldly impoverishment; to converse more with God when separatedfrom
friends and relations; to value more the love of Christ when they smart by the
world's hatred; to partake more of holiness when he partakes less ofthe ease,
peace, plenty of the world; to make use of the cross forthe crucifying of the
flesh; to make sin more hateful and dreadful, the consciencemore tender, the
world less tempting, more contemptible, grace more active and lively, the
word more sweetand effectual, prayer more fervent and affectionate, the
appearing of Christ more lovely and desirable, the conversationmore
heavenly. To hear the cross as a disciple of Christ, is to bring forth more fruit
in bearing of it.
The Christian's cross
D. Clarkson, B. D.
I. THE CROSS IS ORDINARILY THE LOT OF CHRISTIANS. Persecution
and troubles have always attended the people of God. And the reasons ofit
are evident.
1. The malice of Satan, who knowing himself to be castoff by God, he hates
God with an implacable hatred; and since the Lord is above the reachof his
malice, he falls upon those who are dearestto Him, the people of God.

2. The enmity of the world. The world would be sure to cross, to afflict and
persecute whatit hates;and the disciples of Christ are hated by the world
(John 15:19). Not only that part of the world which evidently lies in
wickedness, but the more refined part of it which dressethup itself in a form
of godliness. Those who have no more but the form, hate those that haw the
power, because this is a real reproofand conviction of the vanity and
insufficiency of outward forms, how specious soever;and that which detects
them is hated by them (1 John 5:19).
3. There is a necessityof the cross upon a manifold account.(1)To distinguish
true disciples from hypocrites and pretenders. When Christ may be professed
and followedwith ease, andsafety, and credit, multitudes will follow Him,
every man will profess Him whose hearts are not with Him. But when the
cross comes, thatmakes a distinction.(2) To try His disciples, that He may
have an experiment of their affectionand faithfulness to Him: "Who is on my
side? Who?" says Jehu (2 Kings 9:33). So says Christ, when He brings out the
cross;let Me now see who is for Me, let Me see who it is that will bear the
cross for Me.(3)Forthe advantage of grace. A Christian is not complete
unless he have on his whole armour; and it is the cross puts us upon putting of
it on; it would lie rusting by us, if we were not rousedto the use of it by the
frequent approaches ofthe cross.(4)To take us off from the world. The cross
embitters the world to us, and confutes those vain conceits which make us
fond of it. The vizard falls off by which it had deluded us, and now we may
perceive what aa impostor it was, when, for all its fair promises, we meet with
nothing but vanity, and enmity, and vexation, and hard usage. And will it not
seemlovely? Or can we doat on it any longer? The cross lets us not only see,
but feelwhat the world is.(5) To tame the flesh, and keepit under, which
otherwise would grow headstrong, and bear down all the restraints of grace,
and hurry us into carnal excess — "Everybranch that beareth fruit He
purgeth it" (John 15.). He lops off the luxuriances of natural corruption. And
how is this done? Why, a sharp cross will be effectual to do it, when the Lord
takes it into His hand and useth it for this purpose!(6) To endearheaven to us.

The ark was more acceptable to Noah's dove when she found no restto the
soles ofher feet on the face of the earth.
II. A CHRISTIAN CANNOT ORDINARILYAVOID THE CROSS
WITHOUT SINNING AGAINST CHRIST.
III. HE THAT WILL ORDINARILY SIN AGAINST CHRIST TO AVOID
THE CROSS, CANNOT BE A CHRISTIAN. This being proved, it will appear
an evident truth, that he that doth not, will not, bear the cross, is not, cannot
be a Christian.
PRECEPTAUSTIN RESOURCES
BRUCE HURT MD
Luke 14:27 "Whoeverdoes not carry his own cross and come after Me
cannot be My disciple.
KJV Luke 14:27 And whosoeverdoth not bear his cross, and come after me,
cannot be my disciple.

Whoeverdoes not carry his owncross and come after Me Lk 9:23-25;Mt
10:38;16:24-26;Mark 8:34-37;10:21; 15:21;Jn 19:17; 2 Ti 3:12
cannot be My disciple Mt 13:21;Acts 14:22; 2 Ti 1:12
Luke 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries
Luke 14:25-27 The Extreme Nature of True Discipleship, Part 1 - John
MacArthur
Luke 14:25-35 The Extreme Nature of True Discipleship, Part 2 - John
MacArthur
Luke 14:25-35 The Costof Discipleship - Steven Cole
Luke 14:25-35 The Costof Discipleshp1 - Steven Lawson- Listen at your own
risk! You will be challenged!
Luke 14:25-35 The Costof Discipleshp2 - Steven Lawson- Listen at your own
risk! You will be challenged!
Parallelpassages
(Lk 9:23-25-note)And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come
after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. 24
“Forwhoeverwishes to save his life will lose it, but whoeverloses his life for
My sake, he is the one who will save it. 25 “Forwhat is a man profited if he
gains the whole world, and loses orforfeits himself?
(Mt 16:24-26)ThenJesus saidto His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after
Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 25 “For
whoeverwishes to save his life will lose it; but whoeverloses his life for My

sake will find it. 26 “Forwhat will it profit a man if he gains the whole world
and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange forhis soul?
(Mark 8:34-37)And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to
them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up
his cross andfollow Me. 35 “Forwhoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but
whoeverloses his life for My sake and the gospel’s willsave it. 36 “Forwhat
does it profit a man to gainthe whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37 “For
what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
See the related commentary on the Jesus'similar instruction n Luke 9:23.
As you study this verse, try to imagine yourself as present in the huge crowd
that was following Jesus. Theyhad witnessedmiracle after miracle and were
filled with enthusiasm for Him. Then Jesus drops a bomb by mentioning the
Cross!They must have been utterly shockedby His call to carry their own
cross!Clearly Jesus was separating the wheat from the chaff, superficial
professors from committed followers (cf Ps 1:1-6-note). And He says the same
thing today by His ministers who proclaim truth without compromise (cf Acts
20:27-note). And that is why it is so criticalthat the "Hard Sayings of Jesus"
be preached to the enthusiastic multitude. Jesus does notdesire for any man
or woman to find themselves before Him one day proclaiming "Lord, Lord,"
and then hear "I never knew you. Depart from me, you who practice
lawlessness."(Mt 7:21-23-note)
Remember dear reader...
Following Jesus costsmore than anything—
exceptnot following Him.

Darrell Bock - The figure of cross-bearing denotes a willingness to bear the
pain of persecutionas a result of following Jesus. It is another way to express
willingness to “hate one’s soul” in self-sacrifice. The picture is similar to Luke
9:23–24, with its portrait of daily cross-bearing (Plummer 1896:364), as well
as Matt. 16:24 = Mark 8:34; Acts 14:22;and Heb. 13:13 (Ibid)
Guzik - The one carrying a cross essentiallywalkeddowndeath row to their
place of execution. They knew there was no turning back, and it was a total,
complete commitment, with your life was completelyyielded. You knew your
life didn't belong to you any more. This is total commitment; Jesus gave
Himself for us totally, and expects us to give ourselves to Him totally. We can
understate the demands of Jesus whenwe preachthe gospelto others. We can
give them the impressionthat coming to Jesus is only believing some facts
instead of yielding a life. (Commentary)
Geldenhuys - The generalidea that these words of Jesus about bearing the
cross referto passive submission to all kinds of afflictions, like
disappointments, pain, sicknessand grief that come upon man in life, is totally
wrong … only a personwho for the sake of His service surrenders all self-
seeking and abandons all striving after his own interests can be His disciple."
(NICNT-Luke)
"Take up your cross,"the Saviorsaid,
"If you would My disciple be;
Take up your cross with willing heart
And humbly follow after Me."
—Everest

Discipleshipdemands discipline.
Whoeverdoes not carry his owncross - Jesus is not calling us to weara cross
around out neck! A dictionary of English idioms defines "bearing one's cross"
this way - "To cope with a burden or challenging situation. I'm sure it's not
easyto live with such a serious illness, but she bears her cross with such
humor and grace." We have all heard Christians describe burdensome
circumstances in their life as their "cross." Butthis is NOT what Jesus is
referring to when He calls for those who profess to be His disciples to carry
their own cross. The audience He was addressing knew full wellthat the cross
was an instrument of torturous death. The Romans knew this mode of death
was so horrible that they would only inflict it on those who were not Roman
citizens. To carry one's cross was to die to self and self-interests!The heart of
Jesus'teaching on discipleship is the issue of our heart -- are we willing to
deny self (even to the point of death -- see illustration below). "The believer's
own cross is whateverit costs him in self-denialand opposition from others to
follow the Lord Jesus." (Crawford)
The image of a man carrying his own cross is of a condemned man on his way
to the place of execution, shouldering the cross-barofhis own cross and
walking through the mocking crowds, just as Jesus did on the way to Calvary.
Thus it is a graphic picture of one who is dead to his own will. He is ready to
acceptwhatevercosts are involved in following Jesus. So the Cross ultimately
speaks ofdeath. Fora Christian this represents both a point in time (Ro 6:4-6,
Ga 2:20) and also a process in which daily we are calledto deny and die,
putting to death the old habits and corrupting lusts of deceitand putting on
the garments of resurrectionpower (Php 3:10)
Was Jesus calling for His disciples to experience literal death? For some this
has been the case but the more difficult death (in my opinion) is daily death to
self. Whether literal or figurative death is death and by its very meaning

speaks ofseparation, either physically or figuratively (spiritually). The
important point is that the true disciple of Christ must be willing to die that he
might truly live. It was James Denneywho wrote that, “The man who has
nothing to die for has nothing to live for; he does not know what life is.” The
disciple, however, has everything to live for, because he has chosenwhatand
who he will die for. His life has been placedat the full disposalof the Lord
Jesus. Jesusis calling us to a radical and costlyidentification with Him and
will not force the cross upon us. We must daily choose to take it up out of
devotion to the Lord Himself (Lk 9:23-note)It requires a personaldecision.
The words of the old hymn I Have Decidedto Follow Jesus are a good
"paraphrase" ofJesus'words...
The Cross before me
The world behind me
No turning back
No turning back
Though none go with me
Still I will follow
Still I will follow
Still I will follow
No turning back
No turning back!

Readthe story behind "I Have Decidedto Follow Jesus" foran illustration of
counting the cost. Note while that some object to the hymn's focus on the
human decisionto follow Jesus, it is clear that only those enabled by the Spirit
can make such a decision(God's sovereignprovision) and yet they must
personally make that decision(Man's responsibility). This is a mystery (Dt
29:29a), which we cannot fully understand in this life (cf 1 Cor 13:12).
We need to take A W Tozer's words to heart when he said that…
“The man on the cross is facing in only one direction. He is not going back,
and he has no further plans of his own.”
Paul testifies to his obedience to Jesus'callto deny self
But may it never be that I would boast, exceptin the cross ofour Lord Jesus
Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
(Gal 6:14-note)
Tozeradds "We must do something about the cross and one of two things
only we can do—flee it or die upon it."
John Phillips writes "The words must have struck a most discordantnote in
the ears of that jostling human crowd. A cross? The cross was the very symbol
of Roman oppressionand cruelty. It was a gallows, aninstrument of
unbelievable suffering and shame. Nothing about a cross was glamorous.It
was the very symbol of the Curse. "Cursedis every one that hangeth on a
tree," declaredGod's law (Deut. 21:23;Gal. 3:13). The Lord's disciples all

reactedagainstthe mention of the cross (Matt. 16:21-25), so we canimagine
the astonishmentof the crowd. They saw nothing in this messageforthem.
They thought that the processionwas marching to Zion to crownHim. The
notion that He was heading towardCalvary and a cross neveroccurred to
them in their wildest dreams. (Exploring the Gospelof Luke: An Expository
Commentary)
Keener - A condemned criminal would “carry the cross” (i.e., the horizontal
beam of the cross, the patibulum) out to the site of the upright stake where he
would be crucified, usually amid a jeering mob. No one would choose this fate
for oneself, but Jesus calls true disciples to choose it and thus to hate their
own lives by comparisonwith their devotion to him (Lk 14:26). (IVP NT
Commentary)
Wiersbe - What does it mean to "carrythe cross"?It means daily
identification with Christ in shame, suffering, and surrender to God's will. It
means death to self, to our own plans and ambitions, and a willingness to
serve Him as He directs (John 12:23-28). A "cross"is something we willingly
acceptfrom Godas part of His will for our lives. The Christian who called his
noisy neighbors the "cross"he had to bear certainly did not understand the
meaning of dying to self. (Bible ExpositionCommentary)
As an aside it is somewhatironic that even Jesus'owndisciples failed to carry
His’ cross, so that the Romans had to draft a bystander, Simon of Cyrene, to
carry it (Lk 23:26)!
“Take up thy cross andfollow Me,”
I hear the blessedSavior call;
How can I make a lessersacrifice
When Jesus gave His all?

—Ackley
BecauseJesusbore the cross for us,
we should be willing to take it up for Him.
Carry (bear)(941)(bastazo from basis = foot) generallymeans to take up and
hold (Jn 10:31, 20:15, Acts 21:35) or to bear (Mt 3:11, Mk 14:13, Lk 22:10).
The meaning common in classic Greek of“to pick up” (Jn 10:31), carry (Jn
19:17), endure (borne - Mt 20:12), remove (Mt 3:11), and the common Koine
sense of“to steal” (Jn 12:6). Luke 14:27;John 19:17 refer to carrying the
cross. In Acts 9:15 "to bear My Name" means to announce it to "Gentiles and
kings and sons."
Notice that Jn 19:17 describes Jesus as "bearing His own cross"whichis
clearly a unique event which applies only to Jesus. In other words, in none of
the passagesthat Jesus calls fordisciples to bear their owncross (Mt 16:24;
Mk 8:34; 10:21;Lk 9:23; 14:27), is it suggestedthat we can bear His cross.
Metaphoricallybastazo means to bear, support, endure, i.e., labors, sufferings
(Mt. 20:12, burden or weight, implied in Rev. 2:3). The punishment incurred
by being foolish(Gal. 5:10). To bear patiently (Ro 15:1; Gal. 6:2; Rev. 2:2).
Metaphoricallyin the sense ofto receive, understand (Jn 16:12).
Friberg - (1) take up, lift up, pick up (Jn 10.31);(2) carry, bear (Mk 14.13);
figuratively, of anything burdensome or difficult bear, endure, put up with (
Mt 20.12);(3) bear away, remove (Jn 20.15);figuratively, of healing disease
(Mt 8.17 - "took [bore] our infirmities"] = not in sense ofpromising to remove
all sickness,but in bearing the curse of sin He healedour "sin sickness" so to
speak, far more eternally deadly than any physical sickness!see 1 Pe 2:24-

note); (4) steal, pilfer, carry off (Jn 12.6);(5) figuratively, of serving as a
source of supply support, provide for (Ro 11.18).
Vine on Bastazo - signifies "to support as a burden." It is used with the
meaning (a) "to take up," as in picking up anything, stones, John 10:31;(b)
"to carry" something, Matt. 3:11; Mark 14:13;Luke 7:14; Luke 22:10;Acts
3:2; Acts 21:35;Rev. 17:7; "to carry" on one's person, Luke 10:4; Gal. 6:17;
in one's body, Luke 11:27; "to bear" a name in testimony, Acts 9:15;
metaphorically, of a root "bearing" branches, Rom. 11:18; (c) "to bear" a
burden, whether physically, as of the cross, John19:17, or metaphorically in
respectof sufferings endured in the cause of Christ, Luke 14:27; Rev. 2:3; it is
said of physical endurance, Matt. 20:12; of sufferings "borne" on behalf of
others, Matt. 8:17; Rom. 15:1; Gal. 6:2; of spiritual truths not able to be
"borne," John 16:12;of the refusal to endure evil men, Rev. 2:2; of religious
regulations imposed on others, Acts 15:10; of the burden of the sentence of
God to be executed in due time, Gal. 5:10; of the effectat the judgment seatof
Christ, to be "borne" by the believer for failure in the matter of discharging
the obligations of discipleship, Gal. 6:5; (d) to "bear" by way of carrying off,
John 12:6; John 20:15.
Gilbrant - The basic and most frequent translation of this word is to “bear” or
“carry.” The exact sense ofthe word is determined by the contextand the
objectto be carried or borne. In classicalGreekit exhibits considerable
flexibility. It is used of the action of “lifting up” or “raising,” both literally of
things and metaphorically, i.e., “to exalt.” In the sense of“to carry,” the word
can take on the meaning of “to hold,” literally in the hands or figuratively in
the mind. Similarly in the sense of“to bear” it can mean “to endure” or “to
yield” (bear crops). Sometimes the actionis descriptive of something being
“carriedoff” or “takenaway” in theft. Finally, it is used of the physical
“touch” or “embrace.” Thesevarious meanings continued into Koine Greek.
Numerous citations carry the sense ofto “pilfer” or “steal.” Bastazō also
exhibits the meaning of “to take off” or “remove” and acquires the new
meaning of “to wait” or “hold out.” (See Moulton-Milligan.)

Bastazo - 27xin 27 verses - bear(8), bearers(1), bearing(1), bore(1), borne(1),
carried(2), carried...away(1), carriedaway(1), carries(1), carry(2),
carrying(2), endured(1), picked(1), pilfer(1), remove(1), supports(1),
tolerate(1).
Matt. 3:11; Matt. 8:17; Matt. 20:12; Mk. 14:13; Lk. 7:14; Lk. 10:4; Lk. 11:27;
Lk. 14:27; Lk. 22:10;Jn. 10:31; Jn. 12:6; Jn. 16:12; Jn. 19:17;Jn. 20:15; Acts
3:2; Acts 9:15; Acts 15:10;Acts 21:35; Rom. 11:18; Rom. 15:1; Gal. 5:10; Gal.
6:2; Gal. 6:5; Gal. 6:17; Rev. 2:2; Rev. 2:3; Rev. 17:7
Bastazo - only 3 uses in the Septuagint - Judges 16:30, Ru 2:16, 2 Ki 18:14
MacArthur - The callto salvationis a call to self-denial (cf. Luke 17:33 =
“Whoeverseeksto keephis life will lose it, and whoeverloses his life will
preserve it."); it marks the end of sinners being the reigning authorities in
their lives and calls for them instead to submit as slaves to Jesus’authority as
Lord, King, and Master. That selflessnessextends to the point of death ().
F F Bruce - Denying oneselfis not a matter of giving up something, whether
for Lent or for the whole of life: it is a decisive saying “No” to oneself, to one’s
hopes and plans and ambitions, to one’s likes and dislikes, to one’s nearest
and dearest, for the sake ofChrist.
Vance Havner -- What our Lord saidabout cross-bearing and obedience is
not in fine type. It is in bold print on the face of the contract.
Billy Graham in “The Offense of the Cross” -WhenJesus said, “If you are
going to follow me, you have to take up a cross,” it was the same as saying,
“Come and bring your electric chair with you. Take up the gas chamber and
follow me.” He did not have a beautiful gold cross in mind—the cross on a

church steeple or on the front of your Bible. Jesus had in mind a place of
execution.
A.W. Tozer - The old cross slew men; the new cross entertains them. The old
cross condemned;the new cross amuses. The old cross destroyedconfidence
in the flesh; the new cross encouragesit.
Cross (4716)(staurosfrom histemi = to stand) was an an upright stake,
especiallya pointed one. Thayeradds the stauros was a well-known
instrument of most cruel and ignominious punishment, borrowed by the
Greeks andRomans from the Phoenicians;to it were affixed among the
Romans, down to the time of Constantine the Great, the guiltiest criminals,
particularly the basestslaves,robbers, the authors and abetters of
insurrections, and occasionallyin the provinces, at the arbitrary pleasure of
the governors, upright and peaceable men also, and even Roman citizens
themselves.
RelatedResources:
What is the meaning of the cross?
What did Jesus meanwhen He said, “Takeup your cross andfollow Me”?
Luke 14:27 What it Means to Follow Christ - David Platt
Follow Me!
Jesus'callto the first disciples was "Follow Me!" (Mt 4:19, 8:22, 9:9, 16:24,
19:21, Mk. 1:17; 2:14; 8:34; 10:21;Lk. 5:27; 9:23; 9:59; 18:22;Jn. 1:43;
10:27;12:26; 13:36;21:19; 21:22) And what was His destination? Deathon

the Cross ofCalvary. When we follow Him, we too are denying self daily and
taking up our cross to follow in His steps.
Steven Cole explains that "The cross was notan implement of irritation or
inconvenience. The cross was animplement of slow, tortuous death. Jesus
here is looking at the process ofdaily death to selfish desires and of the
willingness to bear reproachfor His name’s sake. Since our Saviorsuffered
the rejectionand agonyof the cross, if we follow after Him, we must be
prepared for the same treatment. If people revile us for being Christians, we
must bless them in return (Ro 12:14). We should never do anything to
provoke persecution, but if we suffer for the sake ofrighteousness, we must
entrust our souls to a faithful Creatorin doing what is right (1Pe 4:19). Again,
this is a process in which we all must grow. If we blow it, we must confess it to
the Lord and seek to be obedient the next time we have opportunity to suffer
for Him. But if we aren’t involved in the process ofcarrying our owncross in
death to self, we are not on the path of the disciple of Jesus Christ.
Gilbrant - No one could hearthese words without an awarenessthat in order
to follow Jesus he must be ready to surrender all selfish and self-seeking
interests and be willing to acceptany and all sacrifices that might come.
Christians today have the responsibility of holding up the cross of Jesus to the
world because it is through that Cross that men are saved. But the world can
best see the cross ofChrist when it sees His disciples not only willing to preach
Christ, but also to live a life of total commitment to Him. (The Complete
Biblical Library – Luke)
Gregg Allen on what it means to bear our cross - Our culture considers that
there is no greaterright than your right to 'self'. Isn't that our unalienable
right by law? - the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Aren't
we told in all the popular self-help literature that we can't really love other
people until we first love our selves? Well, Jesus once againshocksus when
He says, "And whoeverdoes not bear His cross and come after Me cannot be
My disciple." There could be no greatergesture to show you have forsaken
your right to 'self' than to take up your own cross and bear it as you follow

after Jesus. If that requirement was truly understood, it alone would be
enough to turn many would-be followers away- never to return to Him again.
When people hear that phrase today - to 'bear your cross' - I suspectthey
usually misunderstand it. We have that old saying, "Oh well, I guess that's
just the cross I must bear"; and this is basedon a distortion of what Jesus'
words were really meant to convey. People think that "taking up" or
"bearing" their "cross" means putting up with some obnoxious relative or
neighbor, or working at an unpleasant job or task, or living with an illness or
affliction of some kind. When we patiently "tolerate" these things, we say
we're 'bearing our cross.'Those things may have to be, and we may have to
tolerate them to some degree;but that's not what Jesus means by calling us to
bear our cross and follow Him. You see, we have grown to give the "cross"a
religious or sentimental or symbolic significance in our day. But for those who
first heard these words from Jesus, the cross was not a symbol at all. Rather,
it was a gruesome reality that they saw very often in life. It was a form of
executioninvented by the Romans - a form of executionthat was very public;
and that was among the most cruel, most demoralizing, and most humiliating
the human mind could imagine. To crucify a man was to expose him - naked
and battered - for public ridicule and shame. It was to pin him - bleeding and
in writhing agony - to beams of wood, suspendedby his arms, until the life
was slowlydrained out of him. It was something so terrible that it was
reservedfor the vilest of criminals and scoundrels - the scum of the earth. It
was designed, in part, to have a deterring impact on future criminals - and I
have no doubt that it was very effective to anyone who saw it. To be forcedto
bear one's own cross, then, was to be made to embrace its shame and
humiliation. To carry it to the place of executionwas to carry the instrument
of one's own dying. To bear the cross was the polar opposite of embracing the
right to 'self'. Jesus is here telling us that neither you or I canbe His disciple -
that is, that we're simply not able to be - if we are unwilling to take up our
own cross and die to 'self'. We can know for sure that this is what He means;
because in a similar passage, He puts the matter this way: "If anyone desires
to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow
Me. For whoeverdesires to save his life will lose it, but whoeverloses his life
for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole
world, and is himself destroyedor lost? For whoeveris ashamed of Me and

My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own
glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels" (Luke 9:23-26-note). And
so, there it is. To bear one's owncross and follow Jesus means to deny 'self'. It
means putting to a humiliating death one's own agenda, one's own
independence, one's own plans and schemes and pursuits, one's own rights
and expectations. It means crucifying not just the bad aspects of'self', but all
of 'self'. And I note that, in the original language ofJesus'words, He uses the
form of the verb that indicates a regular, ongoing, progressive, daily practice.
It's not something we do once for all time in life and considerthe matter to be
settled. Rather, we must be taking up our cross againand again, always and
repeatedly denying self, and continually - in that attitude of self-denial-
following Him. And if we will not do this, then we cannot be His disciple.
(Luke 14:25-35 Who CannotBe Jesus'Disciple)
Gotquestions on what is our "cross" - Many people interpret “cross” as some
burden they must carry in their lives: a strained relationship, a thankless job,
a physical illness. With self-pitying pride, they say, “That’s my cross I have to
carry.”...How different from the typical Gospelpresentation!How many
people would respond to an altar callthat went, “Come follow Jesus, and you
may face the loss of friends, family, reputation, career, and possibly even your
life”? The number of false converts would likely decrease!Such a call is what
Jesus meant when He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me.” If you
wonder if you are ready to take up your cross, considerthese questions:
• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing some of your closest
friends?
• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means alienationfrom your family?
• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means the loss of your reputation?
• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your job?
• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your life?

In some places of the world, these consequences are reality. But notice the
questions are phrased, “Are you willing?” Following Jesus doesn’tnecessarily
mean all these things will happen to you, but are you willing to take up your
cross? If there comes a point in your life where you are facedwith a choice—
Jesus or the comforts of this life—which will you choose?Commitment to
Christ means taking up your cross daily, giving up your hopes, dreams,
possessions, evenyour very life if need be for the cause ofChrist. Only if you
willingly take up your cross may you be calledHis disciple (Luke 14:27). The
reward is worth the price. Jesus followed His callof death to self (“Take up
your cross and follow Me”)with the gift of life in Christ: “Forwhoever wants
to save his life will lose it, but whoeverloses his life for me will find it”
(Matthew 16:25-26). (What did Jesus meanwhen He said, “Take up your
cross and follow Me”?)
Hughes rightly reminds us that "Discipleshipis a series of deaths—perpetual
dying. Disciples follow Christ on a path of self-denial. Disciples embrace
suffering as a part of life. As Paul prayed, “I want to know Christ and the
powerof his resurrectionand the fellowshipof sharing in his sufferings,
becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection
from the dead” (Philippians 3:10, 11)." (Preaching the Word - Luke) (Bolding
added)
Cannot be My disciple - A thrice given strong warning for superficial
followers or mere "professors"ofbelief in Christ - Lk 14:26, 27, 33.
Disciple (3101)See notes above on mathetes
Gene Brooks - Roman prisoners were forcedto carry the horizontal cross
beam (the patibulum) to the place of execution (Luke 23:26). The image

reflects not only self-denial, but humiliation and sacrificialdeath. Count the
cost. But choose to follow Jesus to the end.... In order to be a true disciple, one
must be willing to identify with Christ even though He was rejected. The
Cross for Christ was the testof His obedience to the will of the Father and the
sign of His rejectionby Israel. One must be willing to identify with the
rejectedOne to be willing to assume what is involved in that identification in
order to be Christ’s disciple. (The Costof Being a Disciple)
C S Lewis gave a poignant, convicting description of discipleship declaring
that what Jesus was saying was “Give me all of you!!! I don’t want so much of
your time, so much of your talents and money, and so much of your work. I
want YOU!!! ALL OF YOU!! I have not come to torment or frustrate the
natural man or woman, but to KILL IT! No half measures will do. I don’t
want to only prune a branch here and a branch there; rather I want the whole
tree out! Hand it over to me, the whole outfit, all of your desires, allof your
wants and wishes and dreams. Turn them ALL over to me, give yourself to me
and I will make of you a new self---in my image. Give me yourself and in
exchange I will give you Myself. My will, shall become your will. My heart,
shall become your heart.” (C S Lewis Quotes)(Bolding added)
I do not ask for easypaths
Along life's winding roads,
But for the promised grace and strength
To carry all its loads.
—Meadows
Mike Andrus explains that "The true disciple must yield his personal safety
and preferences. The commoninterpretation of bearing one’s cross is that the
cross represents the sacrifices andinconveniences in life. I’m bearing my cross

when I give a tithe that I could find many other gooduses for, when someone
sneers at the fish symbol on my car, when I attend worship, an ABF, and a
small group all in the same week. Actually this is a pathetic misrepresentation
of the cross Jesusspeaksof. What would His listeners have thought of when
they heard the word “cross”?Theywould have thought of the most cruel and
ignominious death knownto man. When they saw a man carrying his cross
behind some Roman soldiers, they knew it was a one-waytrip. The taking up
of the cross is the voluntary yielding of personalsafety and preferences, even
the possibility of martyrdom. No wondertrue discipleship has never been a
mass movement. In 1948 WhittakerChambers, a former Communist, went
before a New York Grand Jury to witness againstthe Communistic
involvements of one of our high government officials, Alger Hiss. One of the
jurors leaned forward and askedhim, “Mr. Chambers, what does it mean to
be a Communist?” Chambers struggledfor a wayto explain what it meant to
those for whom Communism was virtually incomprehensible. Finally he told
them that when he was a Communist he had three heroes. The first was a
Polishpolitical prisoner in Warsaw. He insisted on cleaning the latrines of the
other prisoners because he felt that the most developedmember of any
community should take upon himself the lowliesttasks as an example to the
rest. “That,” said Chambers, “is one thing it meant to be a Communist.” His
secondhero was a German Jew who was captured and court-martialed during
a revolt in Bavaria. When the judge told him, “You are under sentence of
death,” he answered, “We Communists are always under sentence ofdeath.”
“That,” saidChambers, “is another thing that it meant to be a Communist.”
His third hero was a Russianwho was exiled to a Siberian prison camp where
political prisoners were routinely flogged. He soughtsome means of protesting
this inhumane persecution. Finally, in desperationhe drenched himself in
kerosene,sethimself on fire and burned himself to death as a protest against
this outrage which he deplored. “That,” repeatedChambers, “is also what it
meant to be a Communist.” What, may I ask, does it mean to us to be a
Christian? Does it mean any more than participatory democracy, a nice home
in the suburbs, a parochialschoolfor our kids, and a church to provide
fellowship and hear a decent sermon? God is asking us for a level of
commitment that could conceivablyend in physical death. (Luke 14:25-35
Come at All Cost, But Count the Cost)

Kent Hughes - Discipleshiprequires everything. There are no exceptions. No
one has ever become a disciple of Christ and lived a life of ease!You can
searchthe writings of the apostolic church and you will find no exception. You
can check everywriting and personalvignette during the first 400 years of the
church and you will find no disciple lounging on a bed of constantcomfort.
The same is true of the Dark Ages and the Renaissance andthe Reformation
and the 500 years of intervening history. Discipleshipcalls for sacrifice. (Ibid)
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richestgain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of CHRIST, my GOD;
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e'ersuch love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were an offering far too small:
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
-Isaac Watts
Cross Bearing - “Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not
worthy of me.” Matthew 10:38
Right now it’s summer! When I’m wearing flip-flops to the grocerystore and
running the air conditioner in my car. It’s hard to remember the frigid days
of January, and still harder to imagine a climate colder than Grand Rapids,
Michiganin the dead of winter. But of course there are many places that are
colder, more remote, and far more harsh—suchas Siberia!
During the height of the Communist rule in the former SovietUnion, Pastor
Ivan Minailo was exiled to prison in Siberia. His crime? He refused to betray
Jesus and his five small congregationsby becoming a stealth informant for the
secretpolice. As he and nine hundred other “criminals” were marched to a
remote prison camp, Ivan’s feetbecame severelyfrost-bitten and swollento
the point where he almostneeded to have them amputated, yet he willingly
carried his cross through the snows of Siberia.
As Ivan demonstrated, our willingness to pay the price of a cross is the pivotal
issue when it comes to our devotion to Jesus. Jesusput this in cement when He
said, “Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me”
(Matthew 10:38). I guess that means, if we refuse to bear the cross we are
given, then we can’t really callourselves followers ofChrist.

Since the stakes are so high, let me take a minute to clarify what it means to
bear a cross for Christ. Cross-bearing is when I am willingly inclined to
endure suffering that comes as a result of following Christ. It requires a
willing heart. As it did for Ivan, our experience on earth will bring us to
crossroads where we must choose:Christ or comfort, Jesus orease, and even,
sometimes, worshipor wealth. Followers ofJesus make the hard choices
because ofwho Jesus is—the Son of God, eternally worthy of our whole
existence.
Sometimes I wonder why Jesus drew such a hard line in the sand when it
came to cross-bearing. I mean, why couldn’t the Christian life just be a bit
more of a cakewalk?And then I think it’s because He knew that living to
please our Father in heaven would be a rough assignmentin a world that is
under the control of the archenemy of God. During His ministry on earth,
Jesus endured a lot of things—painful rejection, cruel and unfair criticism,
marginalization, physical torture, the betrayal of a dear friend, and finally
crucifixion—all to be faithful to His Father. Spiritually speaking, this world is
a tough and sometimes hostile place to live if you’re following Christ.
Of course, cross-bearing does not exclude us from the grace ofgoodtimes and
the enjoyment of things He has provided for us. Thank God for the grace of
seasonswhere our crossesare rather light. But cross-bearing does meanthat,
like Ivan and millions of others, when push comes to shove we choosethe
“Jesus way” evenif it means loss and suffering.
So here’s the rest of the story: Ivan suffered under the brutal elements of
Siberia and the cruel taskmasters ofthe prison camp for 10 years before he
was released. Butregardless ofhis suffering, he soughtto use the seasonof
difficulty to lift Jesus up. As he worked in villages as a prisoner, he led people
to Jesus and, getthis, today there are churches throughout Siberia that were

establishedby the witness of prison laborers who exalted Jesus in the midst of
their suffering.
I wonder—is Jesus worth everything and anything to you? What will you
decide the next time you have to choose betweencarrying your cross and
laying it down for a more comfortable existence?Here’s the bottom line:
Authentic followers ofJesus are glad to pick up a cross to prove to our leader
that He is more important to us than anything else in our lives!
YOUR JOURNEY…
Cross-bearing is an individual experience. How does Luke 14:27support this?
Why is this important?
Track down a copy of Fox’s Book of Martyrs. Reada few of the accounts. Is
there any costtoo greatfor following Christ?
Why is it significant that we willingly bear the cross we are given? How did
Jesus lay down His life for us? Read Matthew 10:38; Luke 14:27; Mark 8:31-
37; and John 12:25. Then spend some time journaling on this topic. (Joe
Stowell- GetMore Strength)
Day by day, to fight the battle,
Day by day, Thy will to do,
Day by day, the cross to carry,
Seeking only to be true.

—Fisher
Cafeteria Christianity
Whoeverdesires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross,
and follow Me. —Mark 8:34
In his book Thinking in the Future Tense, EdwardB. Lindaman refers to “the
cafeteria culture of our age.” It’s the tendency to shy awayfrom life’s
unpleasant disciplines and seek only what brings immediate pleasure.
Christians are not exempt from this tendency. Some persuasive preachers
promote an “abundant life” of successand prosperity through positive
thinking, more faith, or giving money to get God’s blessing in return.
The Bible, of course, teachesus to think positively (Phil. 4:8) and to give
liberally (2 Cor. 8:2). But much “prosperity preaching” lacks the nourishing
truths of Christ’s sacrifice forsin and His demand for godly living. Our God
is not only loving, good, and generous;He is also righteous, holy, and
demanding. He hates sin and will not compromise with evil.
It’s wonderful to hearabout the blessings Christ offers, but we also need to
experience repentance and self-denial. The picking and choosing ofa
cafeteria-style Christianity is no substitute for a well-rounded diet, which
includes the tough truths of taking up Christ’s cross andfollowing Him (Mark
8:34). That kind of nourishment stimulates the growthof spiritual muscle and
Christlike character. And I need all of that I can get, don’t you? By Dennis J.

DeHaan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. —
Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)
From subtle love of softening things,
From easychoices, weakenings;
Not thus are spirits fortified,
Not this way went the Crucified.
—Amy Carmichael
To be conformed to Christ,
let God’s Spirit form Christ in you.
"ConsumerChristianity"
If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross
daily, and follow Me. —Luke 9:23
In his book The Empty Church, historian Thomas C. Reeves says:
“Christianity in modern America . . . tends to be easy, upbeat, convenient, and
compatible. It does not require self-sacrifice,discipline, humility, an
otherworldly outlook, a zeal for souls, a fear as well as love of God. There is
little guilt and no punishment, and the payoff in heaven is virtually certain.
What we now have might best be labeled ‘Consumer Christianity.’ The costis
low and customer satisfactionseemsguaranteed.”

If we were only customers ofAlmighty God, we could be selective in our faith
and rejectanything we didn’t like. But that’s not an idea we getfrom Jesus.
He pointed us to a cross, notto a spiritual check-outcounter. He said: “If
anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross
daily, and follow Me. For whoeverdesires to save his life will lose it, but
whoeverloses his life for My sake will save it” (Luke 9:23-24). Christ died on
a cross for our sins, not for our satisfaction. And He calls us to trust in Him,
then follow Him with a life of self-denial.
In a world where the customeris always right, it takes radicalobedience to
God to keepfrom buying into “ConsumerChristianity.” By David C.
McCasland (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI.
— Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)
When Jesus saidto follow Him
Regardlessofthe cost,
He promised He would surely give
Much more than would be lost. —Sper
Following Jesus is not always easy, but it's always right.
True Self-Denial
If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross daily, and follow Me. —Luke 9:23

Lent is a period of 40 days prior to Easter(excluding Sundays). For many
people it commemorates Jesus’fasting in the wilderness. They “give up
something” for Lent every year, like sweets orTV. This can yield spiritual
benefits, but denying yourself things and denying yourself aren’t the same. In
Luke 9:23, Jesus taught the latter.
This verse can be broken down into three parts. In the statement“If anyone
desires to come after Me,” the word desires indicates that this is for sincere
disciples only. In the phrase “let him deny himself,” the words let and
denyhimself imply a willingness to renounce one’s selfish will and ways. And
in the statement“take up his cross daily,” the word daily emphasizes a
continual dying to self-will.
It’s easierto give things than to give ourselves. YetJesus gave Himself, and so
must we. To those who deny themselves in obedient service, He has promised,
“Whoeverloses his life for My sake will save it” (v.24). And to His question,
“What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself
destroyed?” we are called to answer, “There is no profit!” We show that we
believe this when we deny ourselves and follow Christ. By Joanie Yoder (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. — Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
To follow Christ we must let go
Of all that we hold dear;
And as we do deny ourselves,
Our gains become more clear.
—Sper

By living for ourselves we die;
by dying to ourselves we live.
Taking Shortcuts
Whoeverwants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their
cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23
Sipping her tea, Nancygazed out her friend’s window and sighed. Spring
rains and sunshine had coaxeda riotous expanse of color from a well-groomed
flowerbed of lilies, phlox, irises, and evening primrose.
“I want that look,” she said wistfully, “without all the work.”
The work of following Christ is difficult, but the reward is a full, joyful life
now and forever.
Some shortcuts are fine—even practical. Others short-circuit our spirit and
deaden our lives. We want romance without the difficulties and messiness of
committing to someone so different from ourselves. We want “greatness”
without the risks and failures necessaryin the adventure of real life. We
desire to please God, but not when it inconveniences us.
Jesus made clear to His followers that there is no shortcut that avoids the
hard choice of surrendering our lives to Him. He warned a prospective
disciple, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service

in the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). To follow Christ requires a radical
altering of our loyalties.
When we turn in faith to Jesus, the work just begins. But it is oh-so-worth-it,
for He also told us that no one who sacrifices“forme and the gospelwill fail
to receive a hundred times as much in this present age . . . and in the age to
come eternal life” (Mark 10:29–30). The work of following Christ is difficult,
but He’s given us His Spirit and the reward is a full, joyful life now and
forever.
Father, I will find the strength to do the work You have for me to do, only as I
rely on Your Holy Spirit. Help me, please, to be sensitive to that today. By
Tim Gustafson(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids,
MI. — Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)
Mostthings worth doing are difficult.
WILLIAM BARCLAY
i) It is possible to be a followerof Jesus without being a disciple; to be a camp-
followerwithout being a soldier of the king; to be a hanger-on in some great
work without pulling one's weight. Once someone was talking to a great
scholarabout a younger man. He said, "So and so tells me that he was one of
year students." The teacheranswereddevastatingly, "He may have attended
my lectures, but he was not one of my students." It is one of the supreme
handicaps of the church that in it there are so many distant followers of Jesus
and so few realdisciples.

BRIAN BELL
[2] SUFFERING FOR CHRIST!(27)[Christ 1st in our Life]
2.17. Readyto be, or do, or suffer whatevermay be God’s will for us.
2.17.1.This interprets the above verses. The Cross demands this loyalty!
2.17.2.BecauseHe goes that way, His disciples must go that way also!
2.17.3.Todaywe commemorate the PersecutedChurch around the world.
2.17.3.1.Readabout Calvary Chapel Pastorin Lanka.
2.18. The picture is of the condemned criminal carrying his cross through the
jeering
crowds to execution. (Stibbs)
2.19. Whenthe Roman Empire crucified a criminal or captive, the victim was
often
forcedto carry his cross part of the way to the crucifixion site.
2.19.1.Carrying his cross through the heart of the city was the admission
that Rome was right and you were wrong.
2.19.2.So when Jesus enjoinedHis followers to carry their crossesand
follow Him, He was referring to a public display before others that
Jesus was right and that the disciples were following Him even to
their deaths.
3

2.20. So, whatCross?
2.20.1.Now this has been really messedup!
2.20.2.Some think any suffering (physical disability, loss of material things)
is their cross. Theysay “that’s my cross to bear!”
2.20.3.Others think their temper, or battle with worry is their cross to bear
…No, these aren’t crosses, but sins!
2.20.4.As long as suffering is egocentric(centeredon your self); as long as it
belongs to me personally; it is suffering!…but that is not the cross!
2
Barclay;pg.201
3
Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas TheologicalSeminary. (1983-c1985).
The Bible knowledge commentary: An exposition of the
scriptures (2:243). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
4
2.20.5.Until we suffer vicariously(substitute); until my suffering is in
sympathy
w/others;& strength is being poured out to help others…thatis the
Cross!{We must look to Jesus’cross to understand ours; because others died
on crosses}
2.20.5.1.“He emptiedHimself, taking the form of a servant”(Phil.2:7)
2.20.5.2.Ex:Kelly & others over Alfred’s all week (laundry/food/cleaning)
2.20.5.2.1.IfI’m going after Him…I must empty or deny myself!

2.20.5.2.2.Ifyou’re serious about following Jesus…youmust take
the same path…it’s a Cross-walk!!!
2.20.6.So, Discipleshipdoesn’tmean just the salvationof the soul, but
fellowship with Him in sufferings, & then joy in the triumphs!
2.20.7.Salvationis God’s gift to us because Jesus diedfor us on the cross.
Discipleshipis our gift to Him as we take up our cross, die to self, &
follow the Lord in everything.
2.21. “Ihave been crucified with Christ; it is no longerI who live, but Christ
lives in
me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Gal.2:20
2.21.1.Abraham – followed God’s leading w/o knowing where.
2.21.2.Hannah – waited for God’s perfecttiming w/o knowing when.
2.21.3.Mary– experienceda miracle w/o knowing how.
2.21.4.Joseph– trusted God’s purpose w/o knowing why everything
happened the way it did.
2.22. So, it is easyto be in the crowdbut not so easyto carry the cross.
2.22.1.After we “come in” and find salvation (23); We must “come to” Him
for our cross(26);& then “come after” Him in obedience to His will
(27)4

JIM BOMKAMP
. ‘Carry his own cross.’
2.6.2.1. In Israel in Jesus’day, a ‘cross’symbolized death, humiliation,
shame, and intense suffering. A disciple of Jesus must be willing to die to
himself, share in the sufferings of Christ that he experiences as a result of
following Jesus, be willing to suffer persecutionbecause offollowing Jesus,
and if it is necessaryand the Lord wills it so, even suffer to the point of death
for Christ.
2.6.2.2. In practical terms, to “carryyour own cross” meantcomplete
surrender to the Lord and His will for your life. This is something that every
disciple must do if He wants to follow Jesus.
2.6.3. ‘Come afterMe.’

2.6.3.1. Jesus is saying here that those who would be His followers on this
day were to renounce everything in their life in order to come and to serve
Him.
2.7. I recently visited the web site for Arlington NationalCemetery
in Washington, D.C. and copedthe information below about the sentinels that
are placedat the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Sentinels who guard the
Tomb must be exemplary in discipline, dress, and bearing; thoroughly
knowlegeable with the history of their unit, the Tomb of the Unknowns,
Arlington National Cemetery(and those interred there), and the U.S. Army;
and able to execute a variety of ceremonialrites flawlesslyand with precision.
I want to use this story as an illustration of what should characterize the life of
a disciple of Christ:
“The Tomb of the Unknowns (also known as the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier) is guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and in any weatherby
Tomb Guard sentinels. Sentinels, all volunteers, are consideredto be the best
of the elite 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard), headquartered at Fort Myer,
Va.
After members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry become ceremoniallyqualified, they
are eligible to volunteer for duty as sentinels at the Tomb. If accepted, they

are assignedto Company E of The Old Guard. Eachsoldier must be in
superb physical condition, possessanunblemished military record and be
between5 feet, 10 inches and 6 feet, 4 inches tall, with a proportionate weight
and build. An interview and a two-week trial to determine a volunteer's
capability to train as a tomb guard is required.
During the trial phase, would-be sentinels memorize sevenpages of Arlington
NationalCemetery history. This information must be recited verbatim in
order to earn a "walk." A walk occurs betweenguard changes. A daytime
walk is one-half hour in the summer and one hour in the winter. All night
walks are one hour.
If a soldier passes the first training phase, "new-soldier" training begins. New
sentinels learn the history of Arlington NationalCemetery and the grave
locations ofnearly 300 veterans. Theylearn the guard-change ceremonyand
the manual of arms that takes place during the inspection portion of the
Changing of the Guard. Sentinels learn to keeptheir uniforms and weapons in
immaculate condition.
The sentinels will be testedto earn the privilege of wearing the silver Tomb
Guard Identification Badge after severalmonths of serving. First, they are
testedon their manual of arms, uniform preparation and their walks. Then,

the Badge Testis given. The test is 100 randomly selectedquestions of the 300
items memorized during training on the history of Arlington National
Cemeteryand the Tomb of the Unknowns. The would-be badge holder must
get more than 95 percent correctto succeed. Only400 Tomb Guard Badges
have been awardedsince it was createdin February 1958.
The Tomb Guard Identification Badge is a temporary awarduntil the badge-
holding sentinel has honorably served at the Tomb of the Unknowns for nine
months. At that time, the awardcan be made a permanent badge, which may
then be worn for the restof a military career. The silver badge is an upside-
down, laurel-leaf wreathsurrounding a depiction of the front face of the
Tomb. Peace, Victory and Valor are portrayed as Greek figures. The words
"Honor Guard" are shown below the Tomb on the badge.
There are three reliefs, eachhaving one relief commander and about six
sentinels. The three reliefs are divided by height so that those in eachguard
change ceremonylook similar. The sentinels rotate walks every hour in the
winter and at night, and every half-hour in the day during the summer.
The Tomb Guard Quarters is staffed using a rotating Kelly system. Each
relief has the following schedule: first day on, one day off, secondday on, one
day off, third day on, four days off. Then, their schedule repeats.

The Changing of the Guard
The guard is changedevery hour on the hour Oct. 1 to March 31 in an
elaborate ritual. From April 1 through September 30, there are more than
double the opportunities to view the change becauseanotherchange is added
on the half hour and the cemeteryclosing time moves from 5 to 7 p.m.
An impeccablyuniformed relief commander appears on the plaza to
announce the Changing of the Guard. Soonthe new sentinel leaves the
Quarters and unlocks the bolt of his or her M-14 rifle to signal to the relief
commander to start the ceremony. The relief commander walks out to the
Tomb and salutes, then faces the spectators andasks them to stand and stay
silent during the ceremony.
The relief commander conducts a detailed white-glove inspection of the
weapon, checking eachpart of the rifle once. Then, the relief commander and
the relieving sentinel meet the retiring sentinel at the centerof the matted
path in front of the Tomb. All three salute the Unknowns who have been

symbolically given the Medal of Honor. Then the relief commander orders
the relievedsentinel, "Pass onyour orders." The current sentinel commands,
"Postand orders, remain as directed." The newly posted sentinel replies,
"Orders acknowledged,"and steps into position on the black mat. When the
relief commander passes by, the new sentinel begins walking at a cadence of
90 steps per minute.
The Tomb Guard marches 21 steps down the black mat behind the Tomb,
turns, faces eastfor21 seconds,turns and faces north for 21 seconds, then
takes 21 steps down the mat and repeats the process. After the turn, the
sentinel executes a sharp "shoulder-arms" movement to place the weaponon
the shoulder closestto the visitors to signify that the sentinel stands between
the Tomb and any possible threat. Twenty-one was chosenbecauseit
symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed -- the 21-gun
salute.
Duty time when not "walking" is spent in the Tomb Guard Quarters below
the MemorialDisplay Roomof the Memorial Amphitheater where they study
Cemetery"knowledge,"cleantheir weapons and help the rest of their relief
prepare for the Changing of the Guard. The guards also train on their days
off.

The Guards of Honor at the Tomb of the Unknowns are highly motivated and
are proud to honor all American service members who are "Known But to
God."
Now if men can voluntarily submit themselves to such discipline and
commitment so they can honor our country and all of those who have fallen in
war and remain nameless, then shouldn’t we Christians who know the One
whose Name is above all and whose sacrifice was the greatestand most selfless
of all, seek to live a disciplined and committed life of discipleship as an actof
gratitude for all that our Saviorhas done for us? Is there anyone greaterthat
we can honor and venerate with our lives than the lamb of God who has taken
awaythe sins of the world?
GENE BROOKS
Luke 14:27 – Carry his cross. A familiar sight for Jews under Roman
occupation, but shocking to connectcriminal executionto Messianic promise.
Roman prisoners were forced to carry the horizontal cross beam (the
patibulum) to the place of execution(Luke 23:26). The image reflects not only
self-denial, but humiliation and sacrificialdeath. Count the cost. But choose to
follow Jesus to the end.
e. APPLICATION: Disciples must rejectevery other authority and be solely
under the authority of Christ. Unless they are willing to do so, they cannot be
Christ’s disciples. They must hate their own lives, i.e., they must setaside
their own wills and acceptthe will of Christ for their lives. In order to be a
true disciple, one must be willing to identify with Christ even though He was

rejected. The Cross for Christ was the test of His obedience to the will of the
Father and the sign of His rejectionby Israel. One must be willing to identify
with the rejectedOne to be willing to assume what is involved in that
identification in order to be Christ’s disciple.
THOMAS CONSTABLE
Verse 26-27
Curiosity is one thing, but discipleship is another. There were many people
who were accompanying Jesus who were not really following Him in the sense
of learning from Him. They simply wantedto benefit from His ministry. Jesus
mentioned two qualifications for being His disciple.
First, one must be willing to give up his or her primary allegiance to family
and self. Jesus taught His disciples to love their enemies rather than hating
them ( Luke 6:27-38). He was not contravening the teaching of the fifth
commandment either ( Luke 18:20). He spoke positively about loving oneself
too ( Luke 10:27). He clearly meant hate in a relative rather than an absolute
sense here.
Second, a disciple must bear the burden of public identification with Jesus
even to death if necessary( Luke 9:23; cf. Deuteronomy 13:4; 1 Kings 14:8; 1
Kings 18:21; 2 Kings 23:3). Luke recordedthis command in more detail than
Matthew did perhaps because ofhis Gentile readers" greaterneedfor
challenge and encouragementin view of persecution(cf. Matthew 10:37-38).

"Salvationis open to all who will come by faith, while discipleship is for
believers willing to pay a price. Salvationmeans coming to the cross and
trusting Jesus Christ, while discipleship means carrying the cross and
following Jesus." [Note:Wiersbe, 1:232.]
"Discipleshipmeans giving one"s first loyalty." [Note: Morris, p235.]
STEVEN COLE
WE MUST CARRY OUR OWN CROSS (14:27).
We have alreadyconsideredthis in our study of Luke 9:23. The cross was not
an implement of irritation or inconvenience. The cross was animplement of
slow, tortuous death. Jesus here is looking at the process ofdaily death to
selfishdesires and of the willingness to bear reproachfor His name’s sake.
Since our Saviorsuffered the rejectionand agonyof the cross, if we follow
after Him, we must be prepared for the same treatment. If people revile us for
being Christians, we must bless them in return (Rom. 12:14). We should never
do anything to provoke persecution, but if we suffer for the sake of
righteousness, we must entrust our souls to a faithful Creatorin doing what is
right (1 Pet. 4:19).
Again, this is a process in which we all must grow. If we blow it, we must
confess it to the Lord and seek to be obedient the next time we have
opportunity to suffer for Him. But if we aren’t involved in the process of
carrying our own cross in death to self, we are not on the path of the disciple
of Jesus Christ.

Rev. Bruce Goettsche
27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my
disciple.
Jesus is not talking about carrying a cross in your pocketorwearing a cross
on a chain around your neck. The cross is a symbol of death. Jesus is saying
we need to be people who are willing to sacrifice evenour very lives for the
Lord. Contrary to what we sometimes hear on TV, Jesus never said following
Him would be easy. In fact, He saidjust the opposite. Notice here that Jesus
does not encourage the crowdwith flowery words and promises of ease and
happiness . . . He points them to the cross and the costof following Him.
Christians are often guilty of preaching a shallow gospel. We callpeople to
“acceptGod’s gift” and we act as if this is the end of it. It would be like
someone coming into a cardealership. You as the salesmantell the person
that you “wantto put them in this brand new car and all they need to do is
sign on the dotted line.” The personwho has never purchased a new car
before eagerlysigns their name and then is shockedwhen you say, “OK, the
final costwith tax, license, under-coating, insurance, inflated tires, knobs on
the radio, is . . . . four times more than you can afford to pay!” The person
feels you swindled them because you never said anything about their being a
cost.
This is the waywe often present the gospel, and it is irresponsible. Jesus calls
eachof us to “countthe cost”. He gives two illustrations to drive His point
home,

MATTHEW HENRY
That they must be willing to bear that which was very heavy (Luke 14:27):
Whosoeverdoth not bear his cross, as those did that were condemned to be
crucified, in submission to the sentence and in expectationof the executionof
it, and so come after me whithersoeverI shall lead him, he cannotbe my
disciple that is (says Dr. Hammond), he is not for my turn and my service,
being so sure to bring persecutionalong with it, will not be for his. Though the
disciples of Christ are not all crucified, yet they all bear their cross, as if they
counted upon being crucified. They must be content to be put into an ill name,
and to be loaded with infamy and disgrace for no name is more ignominious
than Furcifer--the bearer of the gibbet. He must bear his cross, andcome
after Christ that is, he must bear it in the way of his duty, wheneverit lies in
that way. He must bear it when Christ calls him to it, and in bearing it he
must have an eye to Christ, and fetch encouragements from him, and live in
hope of a recompence with him.
2. He bids them count upon it, and then considerof it. Since he has been so
just to us as to tell us plainly what difficulties we shall meet with in following
him, let us be so just to ourselves as to weighthe matter seriouslybefore we
take upon us a professionof religion. Joshua obligedthe people to consider
what they did when they promised to serve the Lord, Joshua 24:19. It is better
never to begin than not to proceedand therefore before we begin we must
considerwhat it is to proceed. This is to actrationally, and as becomes men,
and as we do in other cases.The cause ofChrist will bear a scrutiny. Satan
shows the best, but hides the worst, because his best will not counter-vail his
worstbut Christ's will abundantly. This considering of the case is necessaryto
perseverance,especiallyin suffering times. Our Saviour here illustrates the
necessityofit by two similitudes, the former showing that we must consider
the expenses ofour religion, the latter that we must considerthe perils of it.

F. B. MEYER
"Whosoeverdoth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My
disciple."--Lk 14:27.
NOTICE THE threefold repetition of these solemnwords: he cannot be My
disciple (Lk 14:26, Lk 14:27, Lk 14:33). There is a sense in which the Way of
Salvationis easy. One look of faith in Christ, and we receive eternallife and
are assuredby Him that we can never perish; but that faith must carry in its
heart the germ of discipleship, the tenacity, determination, indomitable
resolve to learn everything that the Masterhas to teach. We are not only
savedfrom sin, but we are saved to learn, redeemedto be taught. The
educationis free, but there are certain things which we must be prepared to
forego if we would be entered in His School. The disciple must bring the
unbiased and disengagedmind to the grace ofGod, which comes disciplining
us, teaching us to deny ungodly lusts, and to live righteously, soberly, and
godly in this present world.
What are the things which we must cultivate for discipleship?
A supreme love (Lk 14:26). Our Lord does not ask us really to hate those
related to us by natural ties, but to give to Himself so much love that
compared with all else, it should be as sunlight to starlight; that for love of
Him we should be willing to act as one who hates all other loves when they
conflict with obedience. We are first convertedfrom the natural to the
spiritual, and then from the spiritual to the natural again.

The denial of self (Lk 14:27). We are not simply to cut off this or the other
indulgence, but to put the Cross ofChrist betweenourselves and the
gratificationof our own will. We must be willing to follow the Lamb, though
the old Abraham cries out in grievous pain.
Renunciation (Lk 14:33). We must be prepared to count all things but loss for
the excellencyofthe knowledge ofChrist Jesus our Lord. As a matter of fact,
Jesus gives us back all that is right and beautiful to use for Him, but there
must be a definite loosing hold on things, and the placing of all in His pierced
hands. Abjuring our ownership, we must be willing to act as His almoners and
trustees. It is this that gives savourto life, making it sparkle and resistdecay.
Luke 14:27
14:27 bear his cross. There are six references to the Christian, like Christ,
taking up his cross and, by implication, carrying it to the place of execution
(Matthew 10:38; 16:24;Mark 8:34; 10:21;Luke 9:23; 14:27). Taking one’s
cross means more than the ordinary burdens and troubles of life, which are
common to all men.
https://www.icr.org/books/defenders/6187/
RICH CATHERS
:27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My
disciple.

:27 cannotbe My disciple
This is the exactsame phrase in Greek as in verse 26.
If you do not do this, you will not be successfulor effective in being His
disciple.
:27 come after Me
It’s one thing to sayyou are a followerof Jesus, but the thing that defines if
you are truly a followeris whether or not you are willing to “bearyour cross”
and come after Him.
:27 bear his cross
bear – bastazo – to take up with the hands; to bear what is burdensome
cross – stauros – a cross
The cross was a well-knowninstrument of punishment that was invented by
the Persians, pickedup by the Greeks, andperfected by the Romans.
It was used to punish the worst of criminals.
On the way to the place of execution, the criminal was forcedto carry his own
cross, showing that the Roman sentence was right and he was wrong.
It was done in a public place where everyone could pass by and see what
would happen if they committed the crime that the accusedhad committed.
Lesson
Enduring pain
Jesus is not talking about wearing a pretty piece of jewelry around your neck.
The cross was aninstrument of pain and shame.
It would be closerto our “electric chair”.
Our societyworks hard to avoid any type of pain.

In 2014, the globalpain management market for pharmaceuticals and medical
devices was worth 36.6 billion dollars.
Some churches will give you the impression that if you will follow Jesus, that
He will heal every disease, take awayeverypain, and make you wealthy to
boot.
Jesus saidthat true disciples would “bear their cross”.
They would be willing to take up with their hands the thing that causes pain
or shame.
Some of the pain comes as a direct result of taking a stand for God.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were given the choice of either bowing
down and worshipping Nebuchadnezzar’s idol, or being thrown into a fiery
furnace.
(Daniel 3:17–18 NKJV)—17 If that is the case, ourGod whom we serve is
able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from
your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not
serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have setup.”
They took a stand whether God delivered them or not.
I think it also speaks to the kinds of pain that God allows into our lives.
Sometimes it’s through being hard-pressedthat others see Jesus in us.
Paul wrote,
(2 Corinthians 4:7–12 NKJV) —7 But we have this treasure in earthenvessels,
that the excellence ofthe powermay be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-
pressedon every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9
persecuted, but not forsaken;struck down, but not destroyed—10 always
carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus
also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered

to death for Jesus’sake,that the life of Jesus also may be manifestedin our
mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.
Paul saw the pain in his life as being useful to God for the sake ofothers.
We’re like clay pots that have light in them, and unless the pots are broken,
people don’t see the light.
If you love your “soul” more than Jesus, you are not going to be very effective,
because you will run from every hint of pain.
But if you’re a person willing to take up things that cause you pain, then
you’re a personwho will reachout to people that others might not want to
touch.
We see Jesus doing this all the time.
Video: Ben-Hur – Meeting Jesus
Jesus is looking for people who will endure pain to be His hands in reaching
out to this world.
We are all going to experience pain and unpleasantness in our lives. The issue
to Jesus is, are you going to quit?
Video: Nolan’s Cheddar – Mouse Trap
It’s important when we are facing difficult times, that we don’t quit.
(Hebrews 12:1–3 NKJV) —1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by
so greata cloud of witnesses,letus lay aside every weight, and the sin which
so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is setbefore

us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy
that was setbefore Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat
down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 ForconsiderHim who endured
such hostility from sinners againstHimself, lest you become wearyand
discouragedin your souls.
If Jesus is first place in your life, your eyes will be on Him, and you will find
you canendure the pain and the shame.
Luke: What Will Jesus CostYou?
Sermon by J. Ligon Duncan on December5, 2010
Luke 14:25-35
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The Lord’s Day Morning
December5, 2010

Luke 14:25-35
“What Will Jesus Cost
You?”
Dr. J. Ligon Duncan III
If you have your Bibles, I’d invite you to turn with me to the gospelof Luke to
the fourteenth chapter. We’re going
to be looking at verses 25 to 35 today as we continue our way through this
gospeltogether. Before we readthe
Word, I want you to be on the lookoutfor a number of things.
First of all in this passage, Iwant you to be on the lookoutfor three
“cannots.” Three times in this

passageJesusannounces people who cannot be His disciple.
You’ll see it in verse 26, 27, and 33.
Now that out to getyour interest — who cannot be a disciple of Jesus?
He tells you in verse 26, 27, and 33.
Even more provocatively, when you look at His answers, He tells you that
these are the requirements of those who will be His disciples.
He says, if I can put these in three, three-wordphrases, you must hate
your family, bear your cross, and renounce your possessions.
Now I trust Jesus has your full attention.
He meant to. The statement
are indeed in an idiom of hyperbole because elsewhere of course Jesus
commends
us to honor our fathers and our mothers.
And Jesus ofcourse knows that there will be some of His disciples who
will have many possession, some less,some none, but there is no universal
requirement on the renunciation of personalproperty in the gospels.
This is clearfrom the disciples themselves and from the things that they
say about our possessions. So Jesus
is clearly, in the language that He’s using, arresting our attention.
But we still have to ask — What in the world is He saying to us and what
does He mean? And we’ll give
attention to that togethertoday.

Before we read God’s Word, let’s pray and ask for His help and blessing.
Lord, this is Your Word and we
know that our Saviorhas something important to say to us when He speaks
with
language like this. So we ask that
by the Spirit we would not misunderstand Him, that we would make every
effort to
understand preciselywhat He is saying to us, and that by the help of the Holy
Spirit we would not only understand it but we would heed it and embrace it
and
we would treasure Him above everything else.
We ask all these things in Jesus’name.
Amen.
This is the Word of God. Hear it:
“Now greatcrowds
accompaniedHim, and He turned and said to them, ‘If anyone comes to Me
and does
not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and
sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.

Whoeverdoes not bear his own cross and come after Me cannotbe My
disciple. Forwhich of you, desiring
to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has
enough to complete it? Otherwise,
when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to
mock him, saying, ‘This man beganto build and was not able to finish.’
Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit
down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him
who
comes againsthim with twenty thousand?
And if not, while the other is yet a greatway off, he sends a delegation
and asks forterms of peace. So
therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be My
disciple.
Salt is good, but if
salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?
It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile.
It is thrown away. He who has
ears to hear, let him hear.’”
Amen, and thus ends this reading of God’s holy, inspired, and inerrant Word.
May He write its eternal truth upon all our hearts.

We could spend profitable time together, and really we could spend a lot of
time
together, having a conversationabout why it is that people love the seasonof
Christmas so much. We could perhaps
gain some insights on our secularculture by meditating on that and talking
about what our impressions are. I
think, I think one thing that leads even the secularworld around us to like
this seasonof the year is there is an inherent sense onso many of their own
hearts that their lives are empty and shallow and there is something about this
seasonthatseems more substantial.
The supernatural is pressedupon them; the spiritual is pressedupon them;
they
respond not only to the beauty of the music but sometimes to the very
thoughts
that are being sung in that music because it points them to something deeper.
For Christians, one of the things we love to think about is just how far
God has gone to save us, just how far He has gone in the sending of His Son, of
the infinite one becoming an infant on our behalf that He might begin a road
that goes allthe way to Calvary to save us from our sins.
And we never gettired, those of us who are believers, we never gettired
of that story.
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