And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:27 NLT)
No first century Jewish/Roman citizen would have misunderstood the meaning of this powerfully graphic display. Criminals carried their crosses (or at least the patibulum) to the place of their crucifixion. It was an act that required them to bear the shame of their crime and to announce their impending death. Followers of Jesus who aren't willing to identify with His "shame" even to their deaths, can't be His disciples! That doesn't mean you can't go to Heaven, it just means you can't know the fulness of a daily experience with Him. Christianity isn't about convenience or comfort, it's about crucifixion...dying to yourself so you can "know" God more fully (Philippians 3:8) and serve Him more powerfully!
