NOT MADE OF FEATHERS

Not a Velvet Cross or One Made of Feathers

“…take up the cross, and follow me.” (Mark 8:34)

Are you a disciple of Christ? Consider with me the cross … not a velvet cross or one made of feathers. The cross was was made of wood; a man could carry it … Jesus carried it after inviting as many as would to pick up their personal cross and follow Him.

Did He mean that all should be crucified? Hardly! He taught us that we would all have a burden to bear that had been sovereignly appointed to us. We would much rather believe that the life of a believer is meant to be carefree and burdenless. But, that’s not what the Gospel teaches.

Don’t shun your cross … deny yourself and pick it up and follow Him. Willingly submit your shoulder to the cross appointed for you by Divine Love. Chearfully accept it as your badge and burden. Don’t despise it or fall under it in despair. Neither run from it in fear or kick at it in anger. Take it up as your Master leads the way. There is no nobler burden than to bear the cross in obedience to Christ.

The Via Crucis is the way of safety;
Fear not to tread its thorny paths.

Whether your cross is persecution for your faith, hated for your commitment to the Gospel, or being maligned because you refuse to compromise. Whether the cross you bear is a physical infirmity or, like the rich young ruler, facing financial ruin in order to confirm your love and obedience to Christ. Whatever your cross, don’t turn away for any reason. Pick it up and proudly bear it knowing that you will never carry it alone. The Man of Sorrows tried the load and has proven Himself fully capable to walk yoked together with you.

“Take up your cross, and by the power of the Spirit of God you will soon be so in love with it, that like Moses, you would not exchange the reproach of Christ for all the treasures of Egypt."

The cross you carry will one day be followed by a crown and the weight of glory will in no way compare to the heaviness you bear today. Be a follower of the Crucified with a holy and submissive spirit. Pick up the cross, and follow Him.

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NOTE: Based on C. H. Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening: Daily Readings for February 23