If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. (Matthew 10:38-39)
Read: Genesis 31:17-32:12, Matthew 10:24-11:6, Psalm 13:1-6, Proverbs 3:16-18
Relate: The Esqualine Gate was the gateway between the City of Rome and the Emperor’s gardens. Some of the most luxurious parts of the city, like Nero’s golden house and the bath houses of Titus and Trajan, were located near the gate. Just outside the gate sat the Gardens of Maecenas atop the Esqualine Hill. These were the property of the Emperor and only those he favored were allowed to visit them. But it wasn’t the bathhouses, the Golden house, or even the gardens that the Esqualine Gate was famous for. This gate was the place of the cross. It was the place that Roman criminals were crucified.
Crucifixion was not a private, quiet matter. As much as it was a method of torture, it was also a preventative measure. The condemned criminal was to pick up the 125 pound crossbeam and carry it, paraded through the streets from the place of sentencing to the Esqualine Gate (or in other cities, a highly trafficked gate just outside the city). The world would see the criminal’s shame. Those in the city would be able to see the condemned walk by. Those coming to Rome by the Labicana or the Praestina roads would have to pass by the cross. Everybody would see, and know, and be warned.
React: Jesus said that anyone who refuses to take up their cross is not worthy to be called his follower. The only way to pass from the luxuries of this world to the gardens on the hill (heaven) is through the gate of the cross. Following Jesus is not a private affair. If people that I know are surprised to find out that I am a Christian, then I am probably not. If I am not willing to publicly bear my shame, and His glory, for all the world to see then I cannot be a follower of Christ. How willing am I to carry my cross? How willing am I to die?
Respond:
God, help me to be willing to carry my cross. Sometimes it gets heavy. Sometimes it gets a bit embarrassing. But You endured the shame. You carried the weight of the world. You carried the weight of my sin. Help me to be willing to publicly, proudly, with the whole world watching, follow You to the place of death, that I might live again.
THE RIVER WALK 
I’ve come back to reread this post a few times already. I keep trying to pick out one or two things I really like, but it’s just all of it. Thank you for this reminder that we forget about more often than we want to admit.
A very good reminder that the Christian faith was not meant to be something hidden and kept in the shadows but was something that was meant to define the person as a whole. Christianity is meant to shine through bearing the cross.
I really liked this, the video was really moving too. A great reminder to pick up my cross daily and be willing to carry it all no matter how big it may seem. Thank you for posting this.
I really like this. What a great reminder.
Loved the video. Thank you for sharing and inspiring! 🌟
Wow. Great,great stuff. I often forget there’s no such thing as a casual Christian. Thanks for sharing!
Reblogged this on Josiah Robinson and commented:
WONDERFUL post on crucifixion and taking up our own cross. Check out Two Rivers if you haven’t before!
Good post – No Compartmentalization.
What a great reminder of our call as Christians. We are not called to a comfortable life!
Reblogged this on John Patrick Adams and commented:
Check out this amazing post…
Thank you for this excellent post! You have amazing writing skills as I experienced in the parts of your book I read! This blog also shows me your phenomenal background knowledge in addition to your spiritual insight.
Thank you, but please stop. The last thing I need is for my big head to start swelling any further.
I love this! This helped me a lot today 🙂 Thank you.
B.J. I no longer envy you or anyone like you like I used to do for your knowledge and insight–amazing and accurate as those are, but, now I have my own experiential knowledge of Matthew 10 to the tee–talking about losing my lower life and picking up my cross? Me? Tell you what? It has happened but no glory to me! All by the appointed time for it all to happen to me! From my own children turning against me to the whole world in my life, ALL my former life entitled were lost for my gain of the resurrected life that is now a reality in my life! O what an awesome Yah we serve! I am honored for your awesome in all the posts Father puts in my heart to record for the honor of all of his children, https://thiabasilialicona.wordpress.com/2015/02/04/response-from-a-new-mother-to-her-child/ 🙂
Pingback: Matthew 10:38-39 (The Esqualine Gate) | Holly T. Ashley
Yes, we all are responsible for what we do and what we do not do in our life and we should be ready to carry the cross. Thank you. Regards.
Good point. You either stand up for what you consider right, or you don’t. I have much more respect for people I disagree with and are up front about it than I do with people who won’t stand up for their beliefs.
BJ, I figure if the Lord daily bears our burdens… our crosses will also be lighter to lift. Thank you for the Good Word. ~Zoey [Ps.68:19]
This is a really great post…Christians should really be Christians; Christ-like! Well Done 🙂
Reblogged this on Gina's blog.
I had a dream about the cross a short while ago.
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.