When it comes to the defining and separating matter of “taking up our cross”, this behest doesn't refer to a singular, once-off kind of event. For the instructions of the LORD are plain and clear. We are to take up our cross DAILY. And follow Him. Which is EVERY day. Not just on one day, or on some days, but EVERY day.

"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross DAILY, and follow Me." Luke 9:23.

     For just like His mercies stand up new every day — where His mercy is to take up the burden of our sin and needs anew every day — we are all called to take up our cross DAILY. And in the similitude of Jesus who carried all our burdens — and still does — does that not mean that EVERY day there will be cause for us to bear one another’s burdens? For are we not taught: “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ” Galatians 6:2. For are we not all called to FOLLOW Him? Which is to follow His example? Which is to fulfil the law of Christ?

     And of this law, are we not also taught by Christ: “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbour as yourself."” Galatians 5:14. Which is His commandment that “you love one another AS I loved you.” And how does God love us? Is it not by carrying our burdens? So if we are called to love our neighbour as ourselves, where just like we would endeavour to carry our own burdens, do we not show our love for our neighbour by helping to carry their burdens? For is it not rightly said that “many hands make light work”?

     In this scripture, God says three things. He tells us to deny ourselves. AND to take up our cross. AND to follow Him. "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, AND take up his cross daily, AND follow Me." Luke 9:23. Where denying our selves is the deliberate effort to put to the death the deeds of the body, as well as laying down the sovereignty of our own thoughts, emotions and will in favour of the thoughts and will of God. However, there will be very little gained by self denial unless you ALSO take up your cross, AND follow Jesus.

     Which in the similitude of Jesus who denied Himself even unto death, we are to firstly deny our selves, and to then also take up the leading of the Spirit when it comes to the burdens of others, which is to take up our cross, so that just like at the extremity of our own need, the extremity of our neighbours’ need and lack may run headfirst into the will of the Father, so that His will may be done on earth as it is in heaven. For is that not what Jesus did for us when He denied Himself and took up His cross?

     And lastly, as we deny ourselves, and also take up our Cross, we are to FOLLOW Him. Which is to be lead by His example. “For even hereunto were ye called; because Christ also suffered for us, LEAVING US AN EXAMPLE, that ye should FOLLOW HIS STEPS; who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth; who when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously." I Peter 2:21-23.

     And as we do these three things, where the number 3 biblically represents divine wholeness, completeness and perfection, as we follow Him, just like Jesus first denied Himself, and then took up His cross, did He not as a result thereafter then walk in the resurrection life? Which is why He calls us to follow Him, not just so that we emulate His noble example, but so that by denying ourselves and laying ourselves down as “a living sacrifice” in loving our neighbour “as He loves us”, we too can walk “in the glory of the resurrection life”.

     For is it not true that “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality”, 1 Corinthians 15:4, which is to be clothed with the resurrection life, which is to be “transformed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit”, 2 Corinthians 3:18, will that not be the same day that “if any man shall come after Me”, we shall have all entered into and matured into “divine wholeness, completeness and perfection”?