Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Ang sinumang nagnanais sumunod sa akin ay kinakailangang itakwil niya ang kanyang sarili, pasanin ang kanyang krus at sumunod sa akin.”

Mateo 16:24

Jesus suffered countless wounds during His trial and crucifixion. Madalas ang naalala natin ay ang mga sugat sa kanyang kamay at paa dahil ipinako Siya sa krus. O kaya naman ang mga tama sa ulo dahil sa crown of thorns, mga laslas sa katawan dahil sa scourging, at sugat sa may tagiliran because the soldier pierced His side. What about the marks on His shoulders for carrying the cross that day, one step at a time? For sure, nabugbog ang mga balikat Niya.

Jesus was born to die for you and for me. Kung hindi Niya pinasan ang krus all the way to Calvary, kung nag-give up Siya somewhere along the way and called it quits, we would all be lost in our sins, condemned for eternity, and without hope. But thank God, Jesus is able to save us to the uttermost because He persevered; nabayaran na Niya nang buo ang lahat ng ating kasalanan, napagtagumpayan Niya ang kamatayan, accomplishing God’s will on the cross. As a result, He is highly exalted and is now sitting at the right hand of God. 

We, too, are called to carry our own crosses. The cross signifies death. As followers of Christ, what are we called to die to, daily? May choice tayo to either say yes to selfishness or die to it; say yes to laziness or complacency, or die to it; say yes to His will and die to our own. Nabibigyan tayo ng lakas through His Spirit to refuse sin and temptation, die to sin, and live holy lives for Him. Carrying His cross led Jesus to His crucifixion and resurrection. May we be empowered by His example and prepared for future battles by carrying our cross daily.