Metaphor of the Cross
March 1, 2008
In Matthew 10:37-39, Jesus says:
“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (NIV)
I’ve heard this verse before. I’ve heard the metaphor “take up your cross” before too. My assumption was always that when Jesus was resurrected after crucifixion, he used the metaphor of taking up a cross as a poetic device to enhance his message. Problem is, Jesus says this before he was crucified.
My question is this: When Jesus mentioned a cross in this verse, what did he mean? Imagine the crucifixion never happened. Would this verse still make sense?
I have to admit, I’ve never really understood the metaphor of “taking up your cross” in the first place. The best guess I can come up with is that Jesus says to minister even to the point of costing you your life. If you must give your life, take up your cross and “be Jesus” to your last, your “crucifixion”.
Maybe a cross was symbolic of something in Bible times. It doesn’t seem like it would be though; it was mostly used as a form of execution for slaves and criminals.
I don’t get it.
March 1, 2008 at 3:54 am
Yes, you did get it. It means to die to yourself and live for Jesus. Another verse says, “I am crucified with Christ; therefore, I no longer live, Jesus Christ now lives in me.” We are to give everything to Him – even to the point of death – total commitment. You got it, perfectly.
March 1, 2008 at 6:17 am
In that case, I find it interesting that Jesus ended up being crucified, of all possible deaths. Imagine what the apostles thought.
March 1, 2008 at 4:45 pm
I think they were so disillusioned that is why they ran and hid. Thankfully, they only had to wait three days to see Him again.