Our Cross

Is this true?

An execution device. A device of public humiliation, suffering, and death? Is this what he's asking us to accept?

Matthew 16.24-26 reads

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

So what does this mean?

What does the cross represent?

σταυρός (stauros)

Pronounced roughly: stow-ROS

The full phrase is:

ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ

aratō ton stauron autou

“let him take up his cross”

Meaning of stauros

In the first-century Roman world, stauros referred to:

• a cross,

• execution stake,

• instrument of crucifixion,

• a device of public humiliation, suffering, and death.

To Jesus’ original audience, this was shocking language. The cross was not a religious symbol of inspiration — it was an object associated with:

• shame,

• rejection,

• suffering,

• state execution

He was introducing the cross not merely as His destiny, but as

THE PATTERN FOR DISCIPLESHIP

In Matthew 16:24, Jesus gives three connected commands:

1. deny himself

2. take up his cross

3. follow Me

They are related, but not identical.

1. Deny himself

Greek:

ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτόνaparnēsasthō heauton

This means:

• renounce self-rule,

• refuse self as ultimate authority,

• stop placing the ego, desires, ambitions, pride, or preservation of self at the center.

It is inward.

Not:

• self-hatred,

• denying personality,

• denying existence,

but denying the supremacy of self.

In essence:

“I no longer belong primarily to myself.”

2. Take up his cross

Greek:

ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦaratō ton stauron autou

This is outward and costly.

It means:

• willingly embrace the consequences of following Christ,

• accept suffering, shame, sacrifice, rejection, loss, or even death if necessary.

A condemned man carrying a cross was publicly surrendering to a death sentence.

In Matthew 16:24, the image of “taking up” the cross is deeply intentional. Jesus could have simply said:

“suffer,”

“endure hardship,”

or “be persecuted.”

But instead He says:

“take up his cross.”

Why “pick it up”?

Because the cross represents a voluntary acceptance of the death of the old self.

The condemned man in the Roman world carried his own crossbeam to the place of execution. Carrying it symbolized:

• public identification,

• acceptance of the sentence,

• no turning back.

So spiritually, Jesus is saying:

“Do not merely have suffering forced upon you. Choose obedience to Me even when it costs you.”

3. Follow Me

Greek:

ἀκολουθείτω μοιakoloutheitō moi

Meaning:

• accompany,

• walk behind,

• become a disciple of,

• imitate,

• stay attached to.

This is the actual life of discipleship.

Not merely:

• believing ideas about Jesus,

• admiring Jesus,

• or suffering generally,

but actively orienting life around Him:

• His teaching,

• His character,

• His mission,

• His priorities,

• His way of living.

So the sequence matters:

First:

“Not my will”

Second:

“I accept the cost.”

Third:

“I walk His way.”

deny self internally

Then:accept the external cost

Then:follow Christ continually

Jesus separates them because a person can:

• suffer without surrendering self,

• or suppress desires internally without actually obeying God when it becomes costly.

You cannot truly follow Christ while making self-preservation, worldly success, comfort, or personal ambition your highest goal.

• “accept the cost of discipleship,”

  
  

• “be willing to surrender everything,”

  
  

• “follow Me even through suffering and shame and if neccessary death"