"Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:37-39)
What did Jesus mean by 'take up their cross'?
Did Jesus really say "take up their cross and follow me"? Is he recommending that all his followers walk around with crosses as though they are heading to their crucifixion?Don't be ridiculous. The cross that Jesus was forced to drag to his persecution was so heavy he could not lift it. He had to drag it. And certainly, Jesus is not recommending his followers all drag crosses around.
The Greek word being translated to "cross" is σταυρός (stauros). While it can be construed as a "cross" through interpretation, the strict definition of the word is "an upright "stake", esp. a pointed one, used as such in fences or palisades" according to the lexicon.
Jesus is referring to "stakes" that are typically put in grape vineyards. These are put in to hold up the grapes. Other types of stakes will hold up trees or fences.
And the phrase "take up" is being translated from the Greek word λαμβάνω (lambanō) which means, "to take with the hand, lay hold of, any person or thing in order to use it;" "to take up a thing to be carried;" "to take upon one's self."
Jesus is using a metaphorical phrase that is still in use today:
"to pull up stakes"When one speaks of "pulling up stakes" they are metaphorically referring to leaving their current place or abode and leaving. They are not talking about literally "pulling up some stakes." This phrase originated in ancient times when landowners who moved from their land would take the stakes that held up their vines, trees and fences with them to the next place. They were leaving behind their home and going to a new one.
And Jesus is using this phrase to indicate that he wants his followers to metaphorically leave their old consciousness - that consciousness whereby they are the most important person in their life - and follow him. Jesus wants them to redirect their love and their devotion towards the Supreme Being - expressed by putting their love and devotion upon His representative.
The last phrase of Jesus' statement confirms this:
"Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Jesus is stating that should his followers "pull up stakes" on their old consciousness - they will find a renewed life in following Jesus.What is Jesus' takeaway message?
As their teacher and the messenger of God, Jesus is teaching his followers that the passageway to the kingdom of God is following and dedicating one's life to his teachings.This might be compared to how a government might respond to a visiting ambassador of another country. If the ambassador tells the government what it takes to establish better relations, the government then has a choice. It can follow the ambassador's recommendations or it can boot out the ambassador and deal with the foreign government in a hostile manner.
In the same way, Jesus taught how his followers could re-establish their relationship with God and how they could learn to love God.
Jesus is not saying that our love for him excludes the Supreme Being. Neither is he saying that he is the Supreme Being. This is confirmed in another statement Jesus made:
“Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:22)What is the link? The link is that Jesus is also doing the will of the Supreme Being:
"For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me." (John 6:38)This means that if Jesus is doing the will of the Supreme Being, those who follow Jesus' instructions will also be doing the will of the Supreme Being.
This is a very personal relationship. This is altogether missed by many who are focused upon sectarian institutionalism. In their fervor, they are missing the intimate loving relationship between Jesus and the Supreme Being. This is communicated throughout the four Gospels, including texts such as:
"By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but Him who sent me." (John 5:30)and
“Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.” (Mark 14:36)
This is confirmed by Jesus' most important instruction:
" 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment." (Matt. 22:37-38)
