The first shape to make from the vertical beam is the letter "I". Then the horizontal beam brings to mind the "minus" sign. Thus, we can refer to the cross as the "I-Minus" cross. The cross of self-denial. The cross of denying what you want. The cross of denying what you think you should be happening in your life.
We know that Jesus set the ultimate example of self-denial ON the cross. Jesus set the ultimate example when he began sweating blood in the garden as He prayed to the Father to let this burden pass from Him, yet still only asking for God's will to be done. Jesus set the ultimate example when he was stripped naked, beaten & then scourged 39 times with a whip that tore off His skin, tissue & muscle from his backside. Jesus set the ultimate example as He was being mocked as a king; given a robe, staff & a crown of thorns that was beaten into his skull. Jesus set the ultimate example as he walked, crawled & carried the cross to the eventual place of His death. Jesus set the ultimate example as stakes were driven into His hands & feet, & then elevated to be mocked & insulted. Jesus set the ultimate example as He willingly suffered hours of pure agony on the cross before eventually giving up His life.
For Jesus, the cross was all about "I-Minus" & self-denial. The cross was all about denying His wants & needs. The cross was all about putting God's will ahead of anything else in His life. The cross was all about thinking of YOU & ME. The cross was all about Jesus taking on the sin of the whole world & taking it the grave. The cross was all about taking YOUR place. The cross was all about offering forgiveness of sin & new life as the perfect sacrifice was slain.
But what is the cross for you? Is the cross just something to wear? Get a tattoo of? Or maybe to have a decorative wall in your house? Or, to you, is the cross all about "I-Minus" & self-denial?
Jesus tells us in Luke 9:23 that "if anyone would come after me, he must DENY himself & take up his cross DAILY & follow me." Jesus makes sure we understand the cross is all about self-denial by His words & example. So are you living up to the standard of the cross? Are you denying yourself DAILY? Obeying God's will & word more than yourself?
John 3:30 also tells us "He must become greater. I must become less." It should be becoming increasingly obvious Jesus wants more of Him in our lives than ourselves. That Jesus wants us to follow Him more than we follow ourselves & the pattern of this world.
So don't ever forget the price paid for your life. The price that paid the forgiveness of your sin. Take up the cross. Deny yourself. Follow Him.
JESUS > you
JV
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