Take Up Your Cross

At the beginning of a new year, many of us make resolutions. Weight loss, getting out of debt, traveling more, or seeing friends more frequently are common resolutions to make on New Year’s Day.

This year, as expected, I’m the one who probably needs the weight loss resolution (grrrr…). But as a follower of Jesus, the most difficult resolution is more of a daily commitment than a yearly resolution. Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” This means a different way of thinking and journeying through life. It means being so immersed in fellowship with Jesus that you constantly struggle with the “normal” of the world. It means interacting with neighbors, family, and strangers differently. It means speaking (and posting on social media) differently. It means letting go of things that would provide satisfaction or comfort that Jesus calls us to lay down. It’s really, really hard, entirely contrary to how we are conditioned to live after dwelling in the world for our entire lives. I think that is why Jesus inserted the word “daily” into his teaching here.

Hearing this message sung by dozens of believers in a choir is a great reinforcement, to help this message get deep within my soul. Here is the Brooklyn Tabernacle with Take Up Your Cross.

Rev. Dan Polecheck
Universal Life Church Ministries