"Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die"
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” Mark 8:34-38
In the Roman Empire when they crucified a criminal or captive, the victim was often forced to carry his cross part of the way to the crucifixion site. Carrying his cross through the heart of the city was supposed to be a tacit admission that the Roman Empire was correct in the sentence of death imposed on him, an admission that Rome was right and he was wrong. So when Jesus enjoined His followers to carry their crosses and follow Him, He was referring to a public display before others that Jesus was right and that the disciples were following Him even to their deaths.
My friends, do not be discouraged by the opinions of others or the lies of the enemy, because remember "the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those of us who are being saved it is the power of God" 1Cor 1:18. Putting to death the desire of your self nature for the call and cause of Christ on your life will not look "normal" to the world. So holdfast in the loving arms of God and truth of His word, for He shall never leave you nor forsake you.
Peace,
RMM
