Mattew 10: Taking up our Cross

One of the lines that I frequently heard in church growing up was that so-and-so had a "cross to bear". Often this "cross-bearing" referred to going through generally difficult life circumstances: illness, family problems, financial problems and the like. The assumption was that "bearing a cross" meant facing these hard realities with faithfulness; it meant facing them as disciples of Christ. While I think the intentions behind these words were good the saying raises a question: is that what Jesus really meant when He calls His disciples to "take up the cross and follow me" in Matthew 10:38?

The context of Matthew 10 is Jesus sending His disciples out to participate in His mission. They will be healing, teaching, and exhorting the people of Galilee to align themselves with Jesus' mission (i.e. the Kingdom of God). As Jesus is sending His disciples He gives them a lengthy warning, and explains that the road ahead will not be easy. He says they will face rejection (10:14), arrest (10:17), flogging and "courtroom" trials (10:18), betrayal (10:22), general persecution (10:23) and ultimately death (10:28). Quite a list!

All of these things point to a different meaning behind "bearing a cross" than the usage I grew up with. When Jesus said "bearing a cross" He meant suffering for the sake of His mission or because of participation in His mission. "Taking up a cross" is not facing the difficulties of normal human life, but rather laying down ones life for the cause of Jesus. When we "bear our crosses" we deny ourselves, our rights, privileges and desires, in order to be a part of something greater.

This interpretation is further strengthened by Jesus' words in the immediately following verse (10:39), "Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it." We are called upon to surrender to God (repent!), and then join into Jesus' mission and sacrifice (cross to bear). While this will cost us being our own king and directing life to meet our needs, it will be the means by which we will find true and lasting life in God's Kingdom.