Matthew 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

What do you think of when you read this verse?

Matthew 27:32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

That was such a compelling moment for this man called Simon, to bear the Lord’s cross for Him as he staggered on His way to Golgotha. I know I have thought of it at times. However Matthew 10:38 asks us to bear our own cross, not His. His cross was a work of God none of us can duplicate. His cross saved us from our sins once and for all time. Bearing my cross is not about saving me from my own sins, which has already been done. So, what is the purpose behind bearing my cross?

I can look at it in two ways. The first is to crucify my flesh. That is a painful process much as the cross was painful. Noble as that sounds the Lord did not crucify His own flesh, the Romans did that for Him.

The second way I look at this seems more in line with my Lord’s actions. Since He has identified following Him as a worthy effort, and I cannot sacrifice my sins, what did He do that I might be able to follow in His example?

Mark 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

No matter what I want, no matter what I pray for, I can do the will of my Abba Father. To do that, in obedience of faith, I will need my own cross. If there is not some element of effort on my part which reminds me that God is at work, then my effort comes from the comfort of self-will.

1 Thessalonians 2:6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

My Cross is not a burden but rather a reminder of whom I serve.