The cross, a symbol deeply embedded in Christian theology and iconography, carries profound significance in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels. When Jesus speaks of the cross in Luke 9:23, He is not just referring to His own impending crucifixion but is also laying down a foundational principle for discipleship. The verse states: "Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.'"
To fully grasp the import of this statement, it is essential to understand the historical and cultural context of the cross during Jesus' time. The cross was an instrument of Roman execution, a method reserved for the most heinous criminals and rebels. It was a symbol of suffering, shame, and death. Thus, when Jesus speaks of taking up one's cross, He is calling His followers to a path that involves self-denial, suffering, and ultimate allegiance to Him, even unto death.
The Call to Self-Denial
The first component of Jesus' call in Luke 9:23 is self-denial. This concept is echoed throughout the New Testament. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, captures this sentiment succinctly: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20, NIV). Here, Paul articulates the transformative aspect of self-denial, where one's former self, driven by selfish desires and sin, is put to death, allowing Christ to live through the believer.
Self-denial is not merely about abstaining from certain pleasures or practices but is a radical reorientation of one's life. It involves a continual surrender of one's will, ambitions, and desires to the lordship of Christ. This is not a one-time event but a daily commitment, as Jesus emphasizes by saying we must take up our cross "daily."
The Path of Suffering
Taking up the cross also signifies a willingness to endure suffering for the sake of Christ. This aspect of discipleship is vividly illustrated in the life of the Apostle Paul. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, Paul recounts his numerous sufferings for the sake of the Gospel: imprisonments, beatings, stonings, shipwrecks, and constant dangers. Despite these hardships, Paul rejoices in his sufferings, seeing them as a participation in the sufferings of Christ (Colossians 1:24).
Jesus Himself warned His disciples of the cost of following Him. In John 15:20, He says, "Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also." The early Christians understood this well, as many faced persecution and martyrdom. The cross, therefore, is a call to endure suffering and persecution with faith and perseverance, following the example of Christ who "for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame" (Hebrews 12:2, NIV).
The Ultimate Allegiance
The third aspect of taking up the cross is the call to ultimate allegiance to Christ. In Matthew 10:37-39, Jesus says, "Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it." Here, Jesus sets forth the radical nature of discipleship: it demands that our love for Him surpasses all other loves.
This ultimate allegiance means that our identity and purpose are found in Christ alone. It involves a willingness to forsake all other attachments and loyalties that compete with our devotion to Him. This is not to say that we neglect our responsibilities or relationships, but rather that our commitment to Christ takes precedence over all else. This is vividly illustrated in the lives of the early disciples who left their nets, their tax booths, and their former lives to follow Jesus (Matthew 4:18-22; Matthew 9:9).
The Cross as a Symbol of Redemption
Beyond the call to discipleship, the cross also holds profound theological significance as the means of our redemption. In 1 Corinthians 1:18, Paul writes, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." The cross, which was once a symbol of shame and death, becomes the instrument of God's power and salvation.
Through His death on the cross, Jesus bore the penalty for our sins, satisfying the justice of God and reconciling us to Him. As Paul explains in Colossians 2:13-14, "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross." The cross, therefore, is the ultimate expression of God's love and grace, where justice and mercy meet.
The Cross and the Resurrection
It is also important to view the cross in light of the resurrection. The cross is not the end of the story but the pathway to resurrection and new life. As Jesus foretold in Luke 9:22, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life." The cross, therefore, is intrinsically linked to the resurrection, which vindicates Jesus' sacrifice and demonstrates His victory over sin and death.
For believers, this means that taking up the cross is not a journey to despair but to glory. Paul captures this hope in Romans 6:5, "For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his." The cross, therefore, points us to the hope of resurrection and eternal life with Christ.
The Cross and Christian Living
Finally, the cross shapes our daily living as Christians. It calls us to a life of humility, service, and sacrificial love. In Philippians 2:5-8, Paul exhorts believers to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus, who "being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross."
This passage calls us to emulate Christ's humility and self-sacrifice in our relationships and actions. It challenges us to lay down our rights, privileges, and comforts for the sake of others, reflecting the love and grace of Christ in our daily lives.
In conclusion, the significance of the cross in Luke 9:23 and other related verses is multi-faceted. It is a call to self-denial, a willingness to endure suffering, and ultimate allegiance to Christ. It is the means of our redemption, the pathway to resurrection, and the model for Christian living. As we take up our cross daily, we participate in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, experiencing the transformative power of His grace and love.
