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John

John 
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Day 302

John 19:17-42 "THE CONCEPT OF CROSS-BEARING"

Day 302 – John 19

THE CONCEPT OF CROSS-BEARING

On at least two occasions, Jesus spoke to His disciples about cross-bearing! Let us take time to read what Matthew recorded for us in his Gospel.

“And he who does not take his cross and
follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He
who finds his life will lose it, and he who
loses his life for My sake will find it.”
Matthew 10:38-39

What picture did the Disciples have in mind when Jesus said these words? Perhaps the idea of cross-bearing was more of a concept than a reality. The context in which Jesus said these words about cross-bearing was the occasion when He was about to send them forth as His emissaries. How much had the Disciples understood the concept at that early stage of their being trained as Disciples? Probably not a whole lot.

Jesus broached the subject of cross-bearing again with His disciples months later. This time round, He spoke of His own suffering and His death. Peter and his disciples had reacted badly when they heard Jesus speak about His suffering and death!

Peter went up to Jesus, pulled Him aside and began to remonstrate with Him! Matthew noted,

“Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke
Him, saying, ‘Far be it from You, Lord; this shall
not happen to You!'”
Matthew 16:22

Peter had meant well. He loved his Master. He could not bear the thought that He would have to suffer! But he was wrong, even if he was sincere in his words!

Jesus had to correct him in the sternest of tones.

“Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me,
for you are not mindful of the things of God, but
the things of men.'”
Matthew 16:23

Who was the one who took advantage of Peter’s feelings? Jesus saw through it all. It was none other than Satan himself who sought to thwart Jesus from fulfilling His mission! Peter’s words represented only the human side of things! He was mindful of “the things of men”. He ought to be more “mindful of the things of God”. Had he not been with Jesus for many months now? What had he learned about the challenge of cross bearing?

Jesus therefore found it necessary to teach His disciples all over again what it meant to practise cross-bearing. Thus He said,

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
Matthew 16:24-25

Once again, Jesus had to teach His Disciples all about cross-bearing! The concept of cross-bearing would be challenging, but not impossible to fulfill. What would it take to practise this concept of cross-bearing? Three things must be borne in mind.

1. “If anyone desires to come after Me …”

It would take a strong and true desire to follow Jesus before cross-bearing can be fully achieved.

2. “Let him deny himself …”

It would take true self-denial if one were to follow Jesus successfully.

3. “Take up his cross, and follow Me …”

It would take a strong conviction of the heart and mind to commit oneself, before the concept of cross-bearing can be seriously pursued!

THE LITERAL EXAMPLE OF JESUS BEARING HIS CROSS

We cannot help but wonder if Jesus pictured in His mind that He would one day literally carry His own cross to Calvary, when He spoke of His Disciples about cross-bearing. It is very likely that He did. Thus when John sought to describe the last few acts of Jesus when He was alive, he could not help but write these words.

“And He, bearing His cross, went out to a
place called the Place of a Skull …”
John 19:17

John also wrote about the concept of bearing the cross … although he did not use the same words. He wrote, using powerful and positive words.

“The hour has come that the Son of Man should
be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless
a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies,
it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much
grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he
who hates his life in this world will keep it for
eternal life.”
John 12:23-25

Jesus had spoken about cross-bearing. In the suffering that He had to endure from His tormentors, He had shown that it is possible to carry one’s cross!

John described Jesus as bearing a literal cross now! These words gave depth and further meaning to what Jesus had been seeking to teach His Disciples! Seeing Jesus carrying the cross must have brought a new dimension of thought to any one who had heard Him speak about cross-bearing! The concept of cross-bearing had taken on a physical and literal meaning. What if the disciples had to also literally carry a Roman cross on their backs one day? Would they be able to do that? How much did the Disciples love their life on earth? How much did they value following Jesus and eternal life?