Life The Daily Cross

Luke 9: 18-23

What does the Cross Symbolize? The cross symbolizes Life misery, suffering, heartaches, pain, and God's mercy.

Did Jesus want to die on the cross?  No.  He wanted there to be another way:  “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”  (Luke 22:42).  He accepted the Father’s will, and died for our sins.

Did God want Jesus to die on the cross?  No.  He wanted another way.  (Luke 22:42).  God’s original plan was that man would not sin at all.  However, Adam and Eve disobeyed him and broke his law.  He permitted sin in the garden, and at the cross.

18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?

19 They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.

20 He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

21 And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;

22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.

23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?