what does it mean "carry your cross"?

Question

Does Holy Bible talk about this? Not refering to when Jesus Christ carried His cross for all of us.

Answer 1

Jesus said anyone who wanted to be His follower must "take up his cross and follow me."

Carrying your cross means bearing the difficulties life throws your way with the strength and patience Jesus showed. We all have them....a child with a disability, difficult spouse, financial problem, disrespectful children, elderly parents, our own illnesses and infirmities.

It is important to recall Jesus had what he needed to carry His cross, and we will be given what we need to bear ours, too.

Why do we have them? Because sin dwells in our world. What good do they do? They help us be stronger, to appreciate Christ's love for us, and offer us the opportunity to offer our suffering on behalf of others, just as Christ suffered on our behalf.

Answer 2

The only reference I can find that directly says this is Luke 14:27 "And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." (NIV) Carrying a symbol of your belief is repeated in the old and new testaments. I could expand on all the rich symbolism and meaning in these two items, but I'll keep it short. Hope this helps some... I've numbered each point so you can follow the similarities.

In the old,

1. the Israelites carried the Ark of the Covenant as they wandered for 40 years.
2. The ark was a sacred symbol of God's presence among them. 3. It was an outward symbol of their beliefs and faith.
4. It was the ark that was in the Holy of Holies in the temple.
5. It was the source of their laws and order because it contained the 10 Commandments tablets.
6. It was also one symbol of the Covenant between God and Israel.

In the new,
1. Jesus carried His cross. (He took the burden that we could no longer carry under the burden of the Law)
2. A cross/crucifix is an assurance of God's presence among His people.
3. The cross is an outward of Christian belief and faith. (I know other traditions also use cross forms too.)
4. It is a cross/crucifix that is in a central place of attention in a church.
5. Jesus is called the fulfillment of the Law, and has given commandments that explain the love that they are really supposed to show.
6. It is a symbol of the covenant between a believer and God.

Answer 3

The best way to put this phrase is that you pay a price for every thing you do. You do good, you carry a good cross. You do bad, you carry a bad cross. Just like how a donkey Carry a burden, you carry a burden too. It is just a metaphor. The cross that Jesus carried was not only physically heavy, but is was made heavier with the sins humans committed. Even though Jesus explained to them the pros and cons of life, they listened, but then condemned him. He did no harm to non, but they were upset with him and they did not like him. They realized more only after he died. In life we all have our own cross to carry we make it lighter if we help others carry theirs. That is exactly God wants us to do. He wants us to forget our sorrows and think of the less fortunate then us. He wants us to give to those who don't even have what we have. He wants us to appreciate what we have and be thankful.

Answer 4

To carry your cross is to do the same as Jesus did you carry your cross by making the flesh subdue unto the will, purpose and plan of God. People want to fame and fortune and they haven't counted up the cost of being appointed and anointed. You must go through the process of sanctification. We carry our cross all throughout ours lives. Then we are crucified a flesh because here you have people who pass judgment upon you constantly, just like they did Jesus. They found no fault in him. If you pray and seek Gods face you can endure the hardship of caring your cross. Don't give up no matter what happens.

Answer 5

"carry your cross" is not a term Jesus used. It is a man-made term. It means to me that each of us is on a life long journey to try to live as Jesus did. Nobody makes it, but we all should strive to be as pure in mind and spirit as possible. This is a difficult task, and can be compared to carrying a cross or other heavy burden.

Answer 6

The same thing as Kokepelle, carrying his bag of burdens. But he also plays his flute as he shoulders it, making beautiful music for all to hear.
Everyone has problems, burdens to shoulder. I think it means we should take care of our responsibilities, and stop thinking that we are the only ones in the world with a cross to bear. And to be cheerful whilst doing it.

Answer 7

What do you mean you're not referring to Jesus? Okay, Jesus carried His cross for all of us, therefore, we are supposed to take up our cross, which is our life, our burdens, and our responsibility to bring others to Jesus. Here's a verse:

Mark 8:34-35 (NIV) Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it."


Hope that helps! :)

Answer 8

Carry a Cross

Do you feel like there are phrases in our "Christian vocabulary" that people use kind of "willy-nilly" but don't stop to define for themselves (or for others)? Phrases that we gloss over without really thinking what we are talking about? For example -- "thy will be done," The Whole Lord's Prayer, "God bless you," "church family," and "This is my body, broken for you." There are lists and lists of these kind of phrases (and that doesn't even include the WORDS that we use in church -- sanctification, redemption, forgiveness...)

I think that the phrase "Carry your cross" is one of these "churchy" phrases that we use but don't think much about. What does it really mean? I'm not sure that I (actually, I'm sure that I don't) have the answer to this question, but when has that ever stopped me from talking about it?

From Luke 9:23-25 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?

I think that the crucifixion was so horrible -- so painful and dreadful -- that we automatically assume that Jesus meant that to be Christians, we must suffer horrible pain -- that "Cross-carrying" is BY DEFINITION equal to suffering. But what does the scripture actually say?

Deny himself -- I think this means that we place the emphasis on God's will for our lives -- not our own. Deny in this case doesn't mean neglect of self, but instead implies a change of control -- God in control instead of ourselves.
Take up his cross -- If I knew what this meant, I wouldn't be writing this entry.
Daily -- Sounds like this "cross carrying" is a daily struggle -- we're never finished in this life.

Answer 9

I believe it means that we are to run the race that is set before us. No one can do it for us. We have to do it ourself. I wouldnt think it means carry your own burdens cause Jesus helps us carry those.

Answer 10

black day stormy night no love no hope in sight, dont cry ,he is coming, dont die ,without knowing the cross, ghettos to the left of us ,flowers to the right ,therell be bread for all of us, if we can just bear the cross ,sweet song of salvation, a pregnant mother sings ,she lives in starvation, her children need all that she brings ,we all have are problems some big some are small, soon all of our problems will be taken by the cross, if we can just bear the cross,