2007-12-25 04:12:11 · 12 answers · asked by Chapter and Verse 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
To achieve the gift God offers us, we are to lay down the ways of the world and bear the weighty burden of loving and caring for the souls of others, just as Jesus did...unto death.
2007-12-25 04:21:09 · answer #1 · answered by RT 66 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The Phrase ‘ take up his cross ‘ also appears in Matthew 10:38 , in both verses we have Jesus explaining to his ( 12 ) disciples , that if they also wish to be considered worthy for Priesthood , they must begin the arduous task of denying worldly goods and putting the needs of God before the needs of their family.
The whole of Chapter 16 is to do with Jesus’ campaign to become a Priest and have his own ‘ Kingdom’ . Jesus was unable to satisfactorily pass the test of the Pharisees ( Verse 16:1 ) and had to go back to his own ministry. Verse 16:21 talks again about the difficult tests he must pass . Peter is playing the traditional role of Satan verse 16:23, to discourage Jesus and test his determination . The last Verse 16:28, Jesus again re-assures his disciples that he will become a priest before they die.
In these particular 1st century allegorical texts Verses 16:11-12 give us a nice little insight into the teachings of the Pharisees and the use of allegory in 1st century Judea.
On the journey back home , after Jesus fails the test of the Pharisees, Jesus warns his disciples to be careful. But the poor ol’ disciples get a little confused and think Jesus is upset because they did not bring any Bread. Jesus reminds the disciples about the allegorical meaning of the word Loaves and warns them to study harder - I think that is a cute touch by the author of Matthew to include that litte ditty.
2007-12-25 13:21:18 · answer #2 · answered by londonpeter2003 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Take up your cross and follow Me"
Very few people can do what Christ has asked and that is to leave behind all that you love, to give up on all your worldly goods and to pick up the Cross (The Word) and Preach it throughout the Lands. For the Cross is the symbol of Man's Redemption. The burden which Christ paid with his Life!
For when you pick up that Cross, you may be ridiculed and persecuted, as was Christ!
2007-12-25 12:33:28 · answer #3 · answered by puzzled 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Take your mind off of other thoughts and follow what Jesus taught. For us to teach and convert others to believe, the best we can. "Take up the cross" basically means it is a heavy job. Some may get crucified/die for it too. One has to put thoughts of all lusts out of them, like greed. And be willing to give their hearts to help others all they can, where ever they can.
2007-12-25 12:22:31 · answer #4 · answered by geessewereabove 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Die to self, selfishness, self will, self promotion, self seeking & be careful how you defend yourself.
Php 2:3-6 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
I wish these things were easy to do, but they are not.
Not everyone is called to give up all there worldly goods, Paul was a tent maker. Not everyone is called to preach the gospel either.
2007-12-25 12:14:08 · answer #5 · answered by Dave G 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
In the Gospel of Luke, the passage that you referred to comes in between St. Peter saying that Jesus is the Messiah and the Transfiguration. In between these two moments where Jesus finally tells His disciples that He is going to leave behind a Church and showing to them His Divinity on Mount Tabor, He takes a minute and explains to them and to us (because we’re His disciples today) what it is going to take to be faithful to Christ. It is going to take someone who is willing to do everything that Christ does to be a servant to His people, to care for the needs of others, and to be willing to die, literally or figuratively, for the faith, for the ones that we love.
It is an important moment in the Gospel of Luke because I think it is a moment of reality. The Apostles have watched Jesus perform these great miracles and teach these large crowds, but I don’t think they had yet fully realized that a life of faith meant a life of sacrifice. And I think it is the same way for us, that sometimes we forget that our life of faith is also meant to be a sacrifice.
Let’s face it, there are a lot of things in the world that we would like to do. There are a lot of movies we would like to see, places we would like to go, or people we would like to be with, experiences we'd like to have, because they would make us “feel good,” or they would be things that the world would say would make us happy. And yet if we are true to our faith, we choose not to walk away but rather to walk with Christ, even if it means having to go through our own moments on Calvary.
2007-12-25 12:19:30 · answer #6 · answered by SpiritRoaming 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We are to deny ourselves. Forget the things of the world. Follow Jesus. He is our example. We are to be like Him. We are to leave behind the things of the world. It is hard to do. We may even have to die for His sake.
2007-12-25 13:14:55 · answer #7 · answered by tabbycat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is just a cool way of saying follow Christ. God Bless You. And merry Christmas!!
2007-12-25 12:16:54 · answer #8 · answered by Jethro Bodine 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It means that we need to resist temptation. JESUS was our example. If we follow HIM, HE will guide our path toward HIM.
GOD bless
2007-12-25 12:15:25 · answer #9 · answered by Exodus 20:1-17 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Dave G.
2007-12-25 12:32:31 · answer #10 · answered by Karenita 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋