OUR OWN CROSS (11-04-11)

Luke 14:27
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
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Carry my own cross? Isn’t that very heavy? I think I cannot do that. I thought the Lord Jesus has carried it already for me, why do I have to carry it again?

Maybe, I will carry it tomorrow, but for now, I am busy.

I will just forgive those who sinned against me later. Well, for my enemy, that is another story – he will be my enemy forever. I will just visit my sick friend, maybe next week… and the hungry… have to go to lunch first.

LOTS OF EXCUSES!!! And still we wonder why we cannot find the true joy in peace in our hearts. Jesus provides the bridge for us to receive God's grace of forgiveness for our sins and fulfill the hope of eternal life. He completed His purpose by being crucified, willingly, so God could be glorified through His resurrection. He lived His life while here on earth in perfect obedience to God regardless of the pain and suffering.

Carry my own cross? Yes, everything for Jesus. And come to think of it, it is not that heavy after all.

Let us pray +

Teach me, my Lord Jesus, to be sweet and gentle in all the events of my life – in disappointments, in the thoughtlessness of others, in the insincerity of those I trusted, in the unfaithfulness of those on whom I relied. Jesus help me and never forsake me! Teach me to carry my own cross and follow You.

Amen +

Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.