For those who live in the Lufkin area, you have likely seen the man who walks around pulling a wooden cross. We have noticed the cross is padded where it rests on his shoulder, and there is a wheel at the base, making it easier to pull. This man has it all wrong.
Jesus did say, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). However, He did not mean for men to literally take up wooden posts and drag them around. He did mean for us to voluntarily serve Him and take up burdens in that service.
A man pulling a padded cross with a wheel does illustrate the attitude of many. Most of our friends are willing to follow Jesus if it is not too difficult.
They want the Lord’s love without labor; salvation without sacrifice. This is unacceptable to the Savior. He said we must be faithful to the point of death (Revelation 2:10). The Spirit said, “… present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God …” (Romans 12:1). Again, He said through Paul, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).
Do not take us wrong — being a Christian is not about misery. There is great joy in serving the Lord (Acts 8:36-39; Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16). At times, this joy is found in the midst of suffering (1 Peter 4:12-16). Therefore, let us gladly take up our cross, even without the pad and wheel.
Steven F. Deaton
