The symbol of easter is a cross. Yes, it used to stand for death, but now it means more.
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)
The cross means we have the choice to accept the identity to be a chosen child of God. By choosing this identity, we are effectively denying ourselves. Our desires and dreams. All of it.
This is a one time choice AND a choice we must make daily. The first time we say “yes” to taking up our own cross changes our life and destiny in an instant and begins a lifelong process of choosing His will over our own.
Following Jesus is taking steps of obedience in his direction. Taking up our cross and following Jesus is not an easy walk. It is not just waking up earlier and spending ten minutes reading the bible. It means giving up our own will and seeking Him. He doesn’t leave us to figure it out on our own. The same power that raised Jesus from the grave, resides in us!
The cross is a symbol of a choice.
Jesus chose to die, so we could choose to live
By choosing to die, He was choosing us
By rising from the dead, He claimed us for eternity
Yes, we have to take up our cross and follow Him, but He already paved the way!
“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” -Ephesians 1:11
Britney Froese 