"take up your cross, and follow me"

Jesus Predicts His Death
Matthew 16:
21 From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.
22 But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”
23 Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds. 28 And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”

How alone should the Christian walk?
"He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." 1 John 2:6. (See Colossians 2:6.)

What mind should be in us?
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:" Philippians 2:5.

While yet but a child, what example of obedience to parents did He present to us?
"And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart." Luke 2:51.

How are His childhood and youth described?
"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." Luke 2:52.

What example did He give us in regard to baptism?
"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him." Matthew 3:13-15.

How important was prayer in His life?
"And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God." Luke 6:12.
"And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray." Luke 9:28.

To what kind of work did Jesus dedicate His life?
"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." Acts 10:38.

What was it that caused Jesus to leave the riches of heaven and come down and live here on earth?
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." 2 Corinthians 8:9.

When misunderstood, reviled, and mistreated, what did He do?
"Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:" 1 Peter 2:23.

How did He pray for those who crucified Him?
"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots." Luke 23:34. (See Acts 3:17.)

What did the Bible predict His life would be like?
"Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." Hebrews 1:9.

How powerfully can Jesus bring us salvation?
"Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save." Isaiah 63:1.

What was Christ's purpose in coming to this world?
"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10.

Through what was Christ made a complete and perfect Saviour?
"For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." Hebrews 2:10.

As a result of His suffering and temptation, what is Christ able to do?
"For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted." Hebrews 2:18.

How complete a Saviour is He?
"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25.

From what is He able to keep us?
"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen." Jude 1:24,25.

What does Jesus, our Pattern, Helper, and Friend, call those who accept Him?
"Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you." John 15:15.

What kind of friend is He?
"A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24.

What is the evidence of a genuine friend?
"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17.