Picking Up Your Cross Each Day. What does it mean?

[patrick457]

Hi, Patrick!

…but if a literal meaning: ‘you’re going to be crucified,’ how are they going to be crucified daily?

Maran atha!

Angel

This is the difference between say, Mark and Luke. Mark’s version stresses the self-denial part of the saying and could be construed as referring to actual martyrdom; Luke, by adding the word ‘daily’, stresses the daily renewal of an attitude of the sacrifice of self. Luke’s Jesus doesn’t just say to be prepared to be crucified, to be prepared to die (because crucifixion equals death), He says be prepared to die daily - accept the possibility of persecution, suffering or death for following Jesus every day you wake up. Live a daily ‘cruciform’ life, if you will. That was a very real concern for Jesus’ earliest followers, even if it isn’t so much for many of us now.

(I’m going to correct myself slightly here: I said that ‘cross’ isn’t so much a figurative expression as something more literal. I still stand by that, although I will allow that ‘cross’ could still symbolize something, though not something as abstract as ‘burden’ as in the modern expression. Instead, ‘cross’, ‘crucifixion’ = ‘shame’, ‘stigmatization’, ‘dehumanization’, ‘death’. Because that’s the first thing people in the ancient world thought of when they heard those words.)

 

[De_Maria]

I think that De Maria has hit the right note
when he/she mentioned: Persecution.
Jesus was the Victim of persecution from
the Jewish authorities whom he tried to
convert.

Thanks. And, definitely, he…

 

[PNEUMA]

This saying by Jesus is very prominent in the Gospels. Does it have one definitive meaning or multiple layers of interpretation? My questions tend to be open-ended by nature so don’t feel too constrained. Thoughts on this verse? Meanings? Unique ways that you see this teaching. Concrete examples from your lives and the lives of others? Don’t be shy. All thoughts are welcome.

This saying must be read in context

Luke 9:23 “Then he said to them all, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.”

It’s about losing your life daily. It’s about living a self-sacrificial life, for Jesus’ sake, which is to save the world. If you live a self-centered life, only to save yourself, you will lose your life permanently. So it’s about losing your life, for the right sake.

 

[PNEUMA]

To put it another way: Participate in Christ’s self sacrificial life. That’s what it means.

 

[jcrichton]

This is the difference between say, Mark and Luke. Mark’s version stresses the self-denial part of the saying and could be construed as referring to actual martyrdom; Luke, by adding the word ‘daily’, stresses the daily renewal of an attitude of the sacrifice of self. Luke’s Jesus doesn’t just say to be prepared to be crucified, to be prepared to die (because crucifixion equals death), He says be prepared to die daily - accept the possibility of persecution, suffering or death for following Jesus every day you wake up. Live a daily ‘cruciform’ life, if you will. That was a very real concern for Jesus’ earliest followers, even if it isn’t so much for many of us now.

(I’m going to correct myself slightly here: I said that ‘cross’ isn’t so much a figurative expression as something more literal. I still stand by that, although I will allow that ‘cross’ could still symbolize something, though not something as abstract as ‘burden’ as in the modern expression. Instead, ‘cross’, ‘crucifixion’ = ‘shame’, ‘stigmatization’, ‘dehumanization’, ‘death’. Because that’s the first thing people in the ancient world thought of when they heard those words.)

Hi, Patrick!

I can see your argument–it’s that ‘no greater friend than the one who gives His Life…’ It is both metaphorical and literal as we are Called to die to self and to die for others, in Christ.

Maran atha!

Angel