Jesus said, “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27).
That’s plain. If we want to follow Jesus, we have to carry our cross.
But let’s be honest, we don’t like heavy crosses. We want a cross with wheels. Something easier. Something we can drag around with less effort. That’s how most Christians want to live the Christian life, easy and convenient.
Esther’s Example
This reminds me of Esther. She was living in a foreign land, in Persia, far from Jerusalem. She was living a comfortable life as queen in the palace. She had nice food, a nice place to live, and servants around her.
But then came the crisis. Her people were under a death sentence. Haman wanted the Jews wiped out. Esther was faced with a choice. She could stay silent, enjoy her comfort, and let someone else take the risk. Or, she could take up her cross.
She decided, “So will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16).
She was talking about walking into the throne room uninvited. That meant death unless the king held out his golden sceptre (Esther 4:11).
Her plan was to fast, and have the Jews fast with her for three days. She wasn’t rushing into this blind. She wanted God’s help first (Esther 4:16).
She was willing to die for her people, the Jews, and for what was right in God’s eyes. She loved her own life less than God’s purpose.
Mordecai reminded her that she was in the kingdom “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). She knew God’s hand had placed her there, and she couldn’t turn away from His calling.
Our Cross Today
Christians today are in the same spot. We live in a foreign land. This world is not our home, our citizenship is in Heaven (Philippians 3:20). We live comfortable lives, surrounded by luxuries and distractions. But sooner or later, we all come to the point of decision.
Will we carry the cross, or will we put wheels on it?
The Sacrifice We’re Called To
We are called to real sacrifice, not convenience.
• Sacrifice of Time – Serving in the church, teaching, visiting, soul winning, helping in ministry. These things take time, but they matter for eternity (Ephesians 5:16).
• Sacrifice of Finances – The work of God moves forward when God’s people give. Paul commended the churches of Macedonia who gave “beyond their power” (2 Corinthians 8:3).
• Sacrifice of Reputation – Some people will mock you, avoid you, or hate you because of your stand for Christ. Jesus said, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18).
The cross was never meant to be easy. Jesus didn’t carry His cross with wheels, and neither should we. The Christian life calls for sacrifice, for conviction, for boldness.
Like Esther, we have to say, “If I perish, I perish.”
Better to die with the cross on our back than to live with the cross on wheels.
