Luke 9:23: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
When either a college or professional sports team wins a championship, it is increasingly popular to memorialize and market it via a DVD that recounts the path to victory. The likely buyers are going to be people who are fans, supporters, and followers of the winner. However, the ones least likely to purchase this documented victory are those that were defeated by the victor. The last thing they want to be reminded of is evidence of the defeat and would rather gather up all the evidence of the loss and destroy it.
What does it mean to walk closer with the Lord Jesus Christ? Jesus Himself plainly answers this in today’s verse. A critical point to note with this verse is that there are no limitations to Jesus’ invitation – it is for “anyone”. He welcomes all.
Based on this verse, to truly walk with Jesus there are three things we must do daily: 1) be fully convicted of our desire to walk with Him; 2) deny all of our other desires; and, 3) take up our cross as we walk with Him. The cross is the symbol of the penalty of sin – death. Romans 6:23 confirms this, “For the wages of sin is death”. When Jesus was hanging on the cross, He represented our sins and was paying the price for them – past, present, and future.
But the cross also represents an even more important symbol – victory. Our faith in the truth of who Jesus is – the only begotten Son of the Father; what He did – Him crucified for our sins; and, where He is now – He is in heaven after being raised three days following His death – makes us fellow partakers in the victory. This is confirmed in 1 John 5:4-5, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” Paul sums up what should be our response to this truth in 1 Corinthians 15:57, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
But who is this victory over? Satan – the devil. Immediately after the Adam’s sin in Genesis, God proclaimed to Satan, “..and I will put enmity between you [Satan] and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed [Jesus]; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” (Genesis 3:15). God declares to Satan his evil ways with Adam and Eve have earned him a battle with God Himself – a battle that will ultimately lead to Satan’s destruction. Revelation 20:10 documents this – “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
Although the victory is certain, Satan is determined to take down as many people with him as he can. Just like the people who aren’t followers of the defeated team mentioned above, the last thing Satan wants to be reminded of is his defeat at the cross. Consequently, sharing in Christ’s victory by more closely identifying ourselves with the cross comes at a price. As we more and more closely associate our lives with the cross, we can expect the defeated one to become more indignant. Jesus confirms this in John 15:20, “Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” Paul echoes this truth in 2 Timothy 3:12, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
All of this speaks to the issue of spiritual warfare. It is real and becomes increasingly more real as we choose to walk more closely with Jesus. It can be very intimidating – but only if we lose sight of God’s promises to those who choose to walk with Him. 2 Thessalonians 1:5-7 states, “All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.”
As we increasingly allow our lives to be guided by what was done and accomplished at the cross, we will notice that living on the side of victory in power reminds us and Satan that Jesus is no longer on that cross, He is alive, and we are eternal teammates to the One who won the battle for our souls. Hallelujah!!