Mark 15:20
"And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him."
Every Christian must bear a cross if they are going to follow Jesus. Jesus was our example and He had to bear the cross. When you look at the whole experience of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, you will soon realize what the cross of Christianity means.
First, the cross of Christianity means there will be times when you are misunderstood. When reading the trial of Jesus and the accusations against Him, you will see many people misunderstood what He said. They oftentimes took what He said completely out of context. When you decide to carry the cross of Christianity, you must understand that you will be misunderstood. There will be family who will misunderstand your dedication to Christ. There will be friends who will misunderstand the things that you have said. When these things happen, you must not get angry with people for they just don't understand everything Christ did for you.
Second, the cross of Christianity means there will be times of criticism and mocking. The criticism and mocking Jesus took was unwarranted. These people said things about Jesus that weren't true, but He kept on going. You will be criticized if you choose to carry the cross of Christianity. If you can't take criticism, then you will not carry the cross very long. You will find fellow Christians will criticize you, but you must continue to carry your cross. You will hear criticism from those who are supposed to be on the same team with you, but you must continue to carry the cross.
Third, the cross of Christianity means there will be personal attacks. The personal attacks against Jesus were deeply personal and were meant to destroy His credibility and ministry, but they did not succeed. When you carry the cross of Christianity, you will be personally attacked, but you must not quit. People will say hateful and hurtful things about you that have no scent of truth, but that is part of carrying the cross. They will try to destroy your credibility and ministry, but you must realize that God has a way of using the criticism to build you and the ministry in which He has placed you.
Fourth, the cross of Christianity means there will be temptation. Jesus was offered wine mingled with myrrh, which was a sedative in those days, but He would not take it because He had to completely suffer our Hell so that we could go to Heaven. I'm sure drinking this wine was tempting because of the pain He was enduring, but He would not allow temptation to destroy Him. Friend, when you carry the cross of Christianity, you will face temptation like never before. That is why you must be yielded to the Spirit of God and not succumb to temptation. The Devil would love to see you destroy God's will for your life with sin, but you must continually ask God to help you overcome temptation and to lead you away from the moment of temptation.
The good part about this whole story is that the harvest of the cross came on Sunday morning. Jesus rose from the dead and the suffering of the cross was worth it. You may wonder if the cross of Christianity is truly worth it, but let me remind you that the harvest of the cross will come if you will continue on. Christian, don't quit when carrying your cross. Sunday is coming, and when it comes you will see the harvest of the cross is great. Lives will be changed, the influence of your ministry will increase and God will receive the glory. I encourage you today to keep carrying the cross of Christianity until you see the harvest of the cross.