T. Allen Burr Ministries

This post was initially published in Paxton Media Group papers in Southwest Indiana and Southeast Illinois.

“that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like Him in His death…”

Philippians 3:10 (ESV)

When you say you’re a follower of Christ, do you mean it? Christ told His disciples in Matthew 16:24 that anyone who desired to be His follower would have to take up their cross and deny themselves. But what does that mean—“take up your cross”? Most people know the cross as the prevailing emblem of Christianity. Jesus, who Christians believe is the Messiah or Savior, was crucified on a cross. Today, however, this emblem has been so cleaned up, sanitized, and stylized that its original, solemn meaning is often forgotten.

That meaning was captured well by Reverend George Bennard in his well-beloved song “The Old Rugged Cross.” Here are some snippets of what Rev. Bennard had to say about the cross: “On a hill far away, stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame … Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world … For twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died.” The cross isn’t just an emblem representing the Christian church; it isn’t just a cultural identifier. The cross should remind us of Jesus’ great sacrifice, of the suffering and shame He endured, by which we are afforded the chance of salvation.

The Apostle Paul wrote that he wanted to “share in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.” What about you? As a believer, are you willing to take up your cross—the emblem of suffering and shame—and follow Him? Take some time this week and really mull this over. If you say you are a follower of Christ, do you mean it? If becoming more like Christ requires us to join in the fellowship of His sufferings, would you willingly undergo the loneliness He felt in the Garden of Gethsemane? Would you voluntarily suffer the pain He felt at the whipping post? Would you subject yourself to the feeling of total abandonment He was met with on the cross?

Countless saints throughout history counted the cost, picked up their cross, and followed Jesus the best they knew how. Saint Teresa of Calcutta, better known to many as Mother Teresa, felt called by God to found the Missionaries of Charity. Throughout the process of gaining papal recognition for the MCs, she heard God’s voice and felt the urgency of the Spirit. After it was founded, however, a deep darkness and heaviness fell over her. A spiritual dryness plagued her. Still worse, God fell silent. Those familiar with Mother Teresa’s personal writings can tell you that she didn’t lose faith, her zeal for the mission God gave her didn’t wane, and her love for Christ remained steadfast. She endured this “dark night,” eventually understanding that she was sharing in Christ’s sufferings.

The Apostle Paul and Mother Teresa endured much as they pursued Christ’s call on their lives. They shared in Christ’s sufferings. Would you?