Such-and-such is my “cross to bear.” It’s an expression people use. Someone dealing with chronic pain might say it is their “cross to bear.” Another person who takes care of a loved one in need might say it is their “cross to bear.”

We’ve been spending some time thinking about carrying a cross in light of Mark 8:34: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” At the heart of this is sacrifice. But even sacrifice can seem too burdensome if we forget the reason why we live this way.

In a previous devotional I defined sacrifice like this. It’s giving up something good for something great. For example, perhaps your favourite T.V. show is Tuesday night. But a friend is in a crisis and needs you at that same time. On a small scale, you have made a sacrifice by giving up something good (relaxing with your favourite show) for something great (helping your friend).

Let’s turn our attention to Jesus. Why did he go to the cross? He did it for humanity! Don Carson explains: “The most staggering commission the Father gives to the Son is that he go to the cross to redeem a race of rebels.”* That’s us! Jesus went to the cross and gave up something good (his own life) for something great (to redeem a sinful people and provide them with forgiveness and reconciliation with their heavenly Father).

When Jesus tells us to take up our cross, we need to remember that this isn’t just a make-work project. We cannot bless others in the kingdom of God if we are only blessing ourselves in the kingdom of Me. According to the Gospels and Isaiah, the kingdom is where and when Jesus rules as King. He will re-establish his throne, triumph over the powers of darkness, and proclaim the year of God’s favour and the day of vengeance. He will proclaim liberty to the captives, open the prison to those who are bound, bring good news to the poor, bind up the broken-hearted, offer forgiveness from sin, bring peace with God, reward his people, tend his flock like a shepherd, and make all things new in his dominion. 

We don’t have to be a part of the kingdom; we get to be a part of the kingdom. 

So as you make certain sacrifices, deliberately think about what the world is gaining, not just what you’re giving up. Our servanthood and cross-bearing isn’t about looking pious. It’s about giving up something good for something great. Keep that top-of-mind and start to experience greater joy as a servant of our cross-bearing King.

Notes:

-“What does it mean to carry your cross?” Sermon. February 2, 2025. Click here.
–D.A. Carson, Basics for Believers: The Core of Christian Faith and Life (BakerBooks: Grand Rapids, 1996), 47.
–Bible quotes are from the NIV.