Have you ever planned to think about something? To set the direction of your thoughts, so whenever they are free and looking for something constructive to do, the direction is already determined? There’s no better topic for sustained meditation than the words of Jesus, because his words broke forth from of old and will continue on forever. His words established the earth; his words will create a new heaven and new earth. Take up your cross. What does it mean to us as followers of Jesus? Here are three meditations to the Lord’s simple statement, “”If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9: 23)
Some meditation starts best with questions. What would it mean to “take up his cross daily?” How is self-denial connected to our ability to lay hold of the cross?
Take Up Your Cross – 3 Meditations
Perhaps I can suggest three appetizers for the disciple who would feast on the Lord’s words, “take up your cross”:
1. Take up your cross is an intentional act.
The cross doesn’t happen to us. We take it each day by the choices we make. These choices can small and private, they needn’t prove anything to anyone. Jack Hayford, a wonderful pastor and example of a disciple, once said he reads the scripture each morning at his bedside–on his knees. He does so to signal to God and remind himself of his willingness to submit to God’s will.
