Posts by Yong Joo Park:
DISCIPLESHIP: Taking up one’s cross
Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
Crucifixion was the cruel death penalty sentenced to people who have rebelled against Roman Empire. Jesus was crucified not because of His rebellion against Roman Empire but because of jealousy of people who didn’t believe Him. So it was unjust for Him to be crucified. But Jesus has voluntarily taken up His cross in order to obey God’s will for Him to pay for our sin and save us.
Based on His motive of taking up the cross, the cross represents ‘sacrifice’, ‘Love (Agape)’ and ‘obedience to the Father’. Based on His purpose of taking up the cross, the cross represents ‘forgiveness’, and ‘reconciliation’. Based on the result of taking up the cross, the cross represents ‘shame’, ‘pain’, ‘humiliation’ as well as ‘God’s wisdom and glory’ revealed through it.
In Luke 9:23, Jesus asks to take up our cross daily and follow Him.
So, I would say ‘taking up the cross’ means …
Living sacrificial life, obeying God, practicing unconditional love and forgiveness, bearing shame, pain and humiliation for the mission God entrusted us to do, trusting God whose wisdom and glory will be revealed through our obedience.
Above description of the cross may sound familiar but it may take each individual certain amount of time in order to understand deeply enough. No worries. God will help you in your life journey.
As for Uni students, they are very busy on their study courses. So if they can make commitment to regular bible study 1 hour per week as well as managing their course works well, it would be ‘taking up their cross’ to follow Jesus.
God’s Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. I became a born-again Christian through the faith of my relative sister when I was 18-year old. She told me that Psalm 119 was her favourite chapter in the Holy Bible. I call her my spiritual mother. My spiritual mother was […]
Young man, I say to you, get up!
Luke 7:11-17 The parade of Jesus met the parade of a dead person. It was an encounter between the life and the death. Who was this dead person? He was the only son of a widow. Widow means a woman whose spouse has died. A widow is sad, lonely and helpless. The Holy Bible teaches […]
The Parable of Garment, Wine and Wineskins
Luke 5:33-39 33They said to him, “John’s disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking.” 34Jesus answered, “Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? 35But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from […]
RESIST the devil
1 Peter 5:8, 9 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. James 4:7 7 Submit yourselves, then, to […]
Shepherd and Sheep
See Luke 2:8-12 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that […]
You give them something to eat (Luke 9:10-17)
Luke 9:10-17
Musical Animation
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Easter Camp 2014 & Regular Meeting this Friday
Easter Camp (Friday 18 Apr – Monday 21 Apr 2014) is coming soon – Next Friday! Click here for more info. Our regular meeting at 7p.m. this Friday @ RM389 Law Bldg: Click here for more info.
