Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)
"And he that taketh not up his cross, and followeth me, is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:38)
Why is the cross central to the Christian disciple and so essential to take it up daily - so much so, that failing to do so, we are not worthy of Jesus! Saint Paul says the cross is "the power of God" because through it the devil and sin were destroyed.
(Corin. 1: 18).
God the Father, through his son, Jesus Christ our Lord, mounted the cross, as a warrior mounts his chariot, to go out to destroy the power his boastful enemy once, and for all. Through obedience, even death on the cross, and humility, God almighty allowed himself to suffer! Yes, suffer! This is the power of God to destroy the devil and sin. It is foolishness to the world, but, the wisdom, the genius of God! This tactic blindsided the devil - Lucifer - that prideful fallen angel.
As if to further convince us that the cross is the power of God to save us: recall the two robbers crucified beside Jesus; one to his left, the other to his right. One robber, in his anger for suffering - brought on by himself - rejected the cross. He blasphemed Jesus! The other robber, accepted the cross. He allowed himself to be purified by the cross; he acknowledged his sinfulness, and with humility and faith, turned to the One whom he had not known previously and asked Jesus, "Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom". Jesus granted his request that very day (Lk 23: 39-43). It's true, the cross brought that man to his death, but also to eternal life with Jesus.
The Cross remains the power of God to destroy the power of devil and sin in us. Therein is the necessity to take it up daily, for without it, the power of God purifying us like the good robber, we are not worthy of his son Jesus, who in obedience, also submitted himself to the cross for our salvation but was raised from the dead and now reigns forever!
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