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Bible Studies/Matthew 10:38
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Question
What exactly does Matthew 10:38 mean?
I was reading this verse and it stood out to me for the first time. But i don't know what it means. What does Jesus expect of us, from this verse?
Hi Susie, this passage appears in three of the gospels:
Mt 10:38 "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
Mr 8:34 And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
Lu 9:23 And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
Lu 14:27 "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
In passages like this, context is very important. Often, the surrounding texts make the puzzling one clear. In this case, if you read the context of Luke 14:27, you will notice a verse which says, we must give up all our possessions to become a disciple (Lk 14:33). It appears that the reference to carrying one's cross suggests self sacrifice, a willingness to give up all for God. Luke 9:23 also says we must be willing to deny ourselves.
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Glenn Hansen
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I will gladly respond to questions on perfection, sanctification, justification, the seal of God, and the nature of Christ. I can also help people understand issues related to the ceremonial law and Decalogue in the New Testament. As an SDA, I read more than fifty of Ellen G. White's books in their entirety. I can answer questions about Adventism, from the perspective of a well read member for more than thirty years. Martin Luther's treatise, "The Freedom of a Christian Man" is one of my favorite Christian writings. If I am not comfortable answering a specific question, I will try to refer you to a good resource.
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I was a Seventh day Adventist for more than thirty years.I have a special interest in the doctrines of justification, perfection, and the nature of Christ. I have spent the last several years in China and continue to live there.
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Community chaplain at California State Prison, Sacramento.
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