Luke 9:23- And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
The cross was a symbol of degradation, contempt, and shame. In order for a prisoner to identify with the unacceptability of his existence on earth, he was made to carry the crossbeam of the cross to the place where he would be impaled on it. This would also leave an impact on those watching: “If you don’t want to die like this, than do not do what this condemned person has done.” By far it was the most brutal way of extinguishing a human life. The Persians in the Old Testament use to skin people alive while they were strapped to the ground, this also was very cruel, but the Romans with crucifixion raised the bar to a whole different level. The process was barbaric. Many of the criminal would die before even reaching the cross.
The Christian life involves the continuous sacrificing of self. This is the message which our Lord was conveying to us. Carrying the crossbeam was a part of the last stages of the crucifixion process. So if you are still standing and able to carry your cross, you are entering the final stage. You have made it through so much, why give up now? By faith, see beyond your disappointment, pain, and hurt. By faith, see beyond the cross to the crown awaiting you (James 1:12). Don’t even consider the pleasure, or how much fun others are having willfully committing sin. We are commanded to give up what we want for our Lord, because He gave His life for us. Deny yourself of whatever it is you want to do against God’s Will! Beyond the cross are victory, resurrection, and eternal life.