Essex Congregational Remembrancer 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. I. It is an INSTRUCTIVE command. Divine commands teach as well as prescribe; and this command teaches — 1. That the Christian's path in this life is one of continued trial. 2. This command teaches that continued trial arises from the opposition of self to the will of God. The Saviour's words evidently imply this; showing that the daily bearing of the cross chiefly consists in the daily denying of self. 3. We are taught by this command that the daily trial must not be passively endured merely, but readily borne. Heathen philosophers of old could declaim on the folly of repining under troubles which could neither be prevented nor escaped. 4. This command teaches us that the taking up the daily cross is one eminent and distinguishing mark of true discipleship. "Follow Me," He saith; "not in speaking with the tongues of men and of angels, not in the gift of prophecy, not in the understanding of all mysteries and all knowledge, not in the faith that could remove mountains; but in the denying thyself in the daily bearing of the cross." This likens to Christ; this gives a just title to the name of "Christian," and is a distinguishing mark of true discipleship. II. It is a PLAIN command. Surely if any man refuses to follow Christ in the path of self-denial it cannot be because the meaning of the command to do so is hard to be understood; but because he abhors the sacrifice that is required. III. It is a WISE command. True wisdom is evidenced by selecting the most suitable means for effecting important ends. 1. One great end of this command is the spiritual and everlasting good of individual men. 2. Another important end of this command is the purity of the universal Church. IV. It is a GRACIOUS command. 1. It was dictated by faithful kindness. 2. It prescribes the way to real happiness. 3. It calls disciples to tread the same glorious path which Himself had trodden before.Concluding observations: 1. No man belongs to Christ who is destitute of the spirit required by this command. 2. The meekly bearing of daily crosses is the best preparation for heavier trials. 3. Daily grace is necessary for bearing the daily cross. (Essex Congregational Remembrancer.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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