Sent Out Like Sheep
and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Matthew 10:38 · Berean Standard Bible
Jesus says that following Him means being willing to carry your own cross -- to accept hardship, sacrifice, and even suffering for His sake.
In Jesus' time, the cross was a symbol of the worst kind of suffering and shame. He is asking you to follow Him even when it costs you everything.
Jesus is speaking to His twelve disciples.
Jesus does not offer an easy path. He calls you to a willingness to bear real suffering for His sake. It is the ultimate test of whether your commitment is genuine.
The first recorded use of cross-bearing (stauron) as a metaphor for discipleship: one must accept suffering and social shame to follow Jesus, making this a pre-crucifixion anticipation of His own death.
The cross was not yet a religious symbol but a Roman instrument of execution associated with criminals and insurrectionists. This saying would have been shockingly graphic to first-century hearers.
Jesus addresses the Twelve with radical requirements for following Him.
Before His own crucifixion, Jesus already uses the cross as the defining image of discipleship, calling His followers to embrace suffering and public shame for His sake.
36A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
37Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;
38and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.
39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
40He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives the One who sent Me.
Read all of Matthew 10 — Jesus hands his authority to twelve ordinary men and sends them into a hostile world. The mission briefing is searingly honest.
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