✝️ The Weight of the Cross

Scripture

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.’” — Matthew 16:24 (NIV)

Devotional Thoughts

The cross was never a symbol of ease. In Jesus’ time, it was an instrument of death, shame, and unbearable pain. When Jesus told His disciples to “take up their cross,” He wasn’t inviting them into a life of comfort or convenience—He was calling them to die to themselves and follow Him, no matter the cost.

Now imagine this: what if each of us had to carry our own cross to Golgotha, just like Jesus did? But instead of bearing it for the sins of the world, the cross we carry is weighted with the weight of our own sins. Every lie, every selfish decision, every angry outburst, every moment of pride, lust, jealousy, or unbelief—added plank by plank, pound by pound.

How heavy would your cross be?

How heavy would mine be?

The thought is crushing. And yet, that is the cross Jesus carried for us. Not just physically, but spiritually. He bore not just the weight of a wooden beam—He bore the full weight of every sin you and I have ever committed or ever will commit. The path to Golgotha was not only a physical journey; it was a journey of substitution, of sacrificial love.

Simon of Cyrene, the man who was pulled from the crowd to help Jesus carry His cross (Luke 23:26). At first, Simon probably saw it as an inconvenience—he was just there for Passover. But in a profound twist, Simon helped carry the burden of the One who was carrying the world’s sin. In that moment, he unknowingly stepped into the heart of the Gospel—sharing in the suffering of Christ.

Now consider this: Jesus doesn't call us to carry His burden of sin. He already finished that. But He calls us to carry our cross—our surrender, our obedience, our daily death to self.

Practical Reflection

Ask yourself:

• What sins or weights have I allowed to cling to me?

• Am I truly following Jesus, or am I still trying to carry a lighter version of the cross—one that costs me nothing?

• Have I accepted the reality that Jesus carried the full weight of my cross, so I don’t have to die under it?

We often avoid the discomfort of the cross because we don’t want to confront the truth about our own hearts. But following Jesus means we walk His road. Not to earn salvation, but to live in response to it. The cross is heavy, yes—but His grace is heavier. His shoulders are stronger. And His love is deeper than the weight of your worst sin.

Closing Thoughts

If we were to carry our cross to Golgotha with the weight of our sins, we wouldn’t make it halfway. But Jesus did. For us. He carried His cross all the way, not because He deserved to die, but because we did. And now, the call to carry our cross is not a call to pay for our sins—but to live free from them, fully surrendered, deeply committed, and forever changed.

Prayer

Jesus, I can hardly bear the thought of the weight of my own sins. I know I could never carry that cross on my own. Thank You for taking my place, for shouldering the burden I could never bear. Teach me how to daily take up my cross—not out of guilt, but out of love. Help me die to myself, so that I might live fully for You. Amen.