Wednesday, November 5 | Taking Up Your Cross
Day 3: Taking Up Your Cross
Reading: Mark 8:34-38; Galatians 2:20
The cross meant one thing to first-century listeners: excruciating death. Jesus calls us to this radical self-denial before His own crucifixion gave the cross its redemptive meaning. Dying to self means abandoning personal agendas, releasing control, and surrendering our entitlement. It's seen in our response when life doesn't go as planned or when we're treated unfairly. Yet this death leads to abundant life. We don't merely deny ourselves; we replace our life with Christ's life. When Jesus becomes all we have, we discover He's all we need. What selfish desire is God asking you to crucify today? What comfort must you release? Remember: losing your life for Christ means finding true life in Him.
Reading: Mark 8:34-38; Galatians 2:20
The cross meant one thing to first-century listeners: excruciating death. Jesus calls us to this radical self-denial before His own crucifixion gave the cross its redemptive meaning. Dying to self means abandoning personal agendas, releasing control, and surrendering our entitlement. It's seen in our response when life doesn't go as planned or when we're treated unfairly. Yet this death leads to abundant life. We don't merely deny ourselves; we replace our life with Christ's life. When Jesus becomes all we have, we discover He's all we need. What selfish desire is God asking you to crucify today? What comfort must you release? Remember: losing your life for Christ means finding true life in Him.