Take Up Your Cross
Jesus said, “So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. … Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. … Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10: 26, 28, 31)
The twelve disciples spent many months traveling with Jesus, observing his interactions with people and learning from him. Then one day, Jesus commissioned them to minister on their own for a while (Matthew 10:1–15).
Some scholars believe that the instructions given in the rest of the chapter (vv. 16–42) apply to those who continued Jesus’s work after he returned to heaven because he spoke of persecution for being his witnesses to both Jews and gentiles (v. 18).
We are part of that corps of witnesses.
Four times in this section, Jesus said, “Do not worry” or “Do not be afraid” (vv. 19, 26, 28, and 31). Why should we be unafraid? First, when accusations are hurled at us, the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say (vv. 19–20). Second, when truth is buried, God will bring it into the light (vv. 26–27). Third, even though evildoers can kill someone, they cannot destroy that person’s soul or steal his eternal inheritance in heaven (v. 28). Fourth, God values each of us so much that he has numbered the hairs on our head (v. 30). Finally, those who remain faithful to him will reap a great reward (vv. 41–42).
Our world seems increasingly hostile to God, the gospel, the Bible as well as those who worship God and hold up his Word as the truth. But Jesus’s commission remains: we are to speak openly of our devotion to him (vv. 32–33) and refuse to cower to culturally correct but morally wrong belief systems and behaviors.
Jesus also asks us to take up our cross and follow him (v. 38). Such commitment demands more than church attendance and religious bumper stickers or jewelry. We are to live each day in ways that manifest our love for him and draw others to him. Jesus explained it this way: “If your first concern is to look after yourself, you will never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you’ll find both yourself and me” (v. 39 MSG).
Yielding to fear may seem unavoidable in a world as unpredictable as ours. But we can instead choose commitment to Jesus and confidence in his promises. What will you choose?
Dig Deeper
Read Romans 1:16 and Romans 10:9–11. In what ways do you show that you are not ashamed of the gospel? How do you confess that Jesus is Lord?
Read 2 Timothy 3:1–16. Does Paul’s description of “the last days” remind you of our culture? What does he advise us to do during these terrible times (vv. 14–16)?
To better understand what “taking up your cross” means, read Philippians 2:1–8. How will bearing our cross affect our relationship with others?
Denise K. Loock
This devotion is part of our series “Do Not Be Afraid.”
Comments
Very timely message