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Read: Luke 14:25-35

[Jesus said] Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27 (EHV)

Carrying Your Cross: Hard but Worth It

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

There was a girl who had just finished high school. She had never opened a Bible before. Then her boyfriend invited her to a Bible Instruction Class at church. In that class she learned amazing things:

• That the one true God loves her no matter what.


• That baptism and the Lord’s Supper are gifts from God.


• That she could pray to God anytime, anywhere.


• That God wanted her to not live with her boyfriend before marriage and to not drink alcohol until she was 21 (and then only in a responsible way).


• That worship with other Christians was a way to grow closer to God.


• That her whole life could be a way to thank God—how she used her time, her talents, and even her money.

She loved Bible class so much she never missed a week!

But after a while, she noticed something: life actually felt harder now that she was a Christian. So, she asked her pastor, “Does it make sense that my life is more difficult now that I believe in Jesus?”

How do you think Jesus would answer? He already did! Jesus said: “Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27 ).

Jesus even told a story to explain. He said it’s like a person who wants to build a tower. First, you have to sit down and figure out if you have enough money and supplies to finish it. If you start the tower but can’t finish, people will laugh and say, ‘Look at that! He started but didn’t finish!’ (Luke 14:28-30).

What’s Jesus saying? Being a disciple—someone who follows Jesus—can be hard. It means saying “no” to some things you want, but you know God doesn’t want for you. It means choosing God’s way even when temptation looks easier. It means carrying a cross.

But here’s the good part: following Jesus also gives us joy that never runs out. That girl from Bible class realized she was now called a “Child of God.” That didn’t make her problems disappear, but it gave her life meaning, purpose, and a forever future with Jesus in heaven.

So yes—being a Christian can be difficult. But it also brings the deepest joy, because we know the cross we carry now will one day be replaced with a crown.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, following you isn’t always easy. Sometimes it feels heavy, like carrying a cross. But thank you for reminding us that you carried the heaviest cross for us—when you died on the cross to save us. Give us strength to keep going and keep our eyes on the forever joy of heaven with you. In your name we pray. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• What is something difficult you’ve faced in your life?


• In your own words, what will it be like to be with Jesus in heaven?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Have you ever had to run a long race? How long of a race was it? How did it feel during it?


• How did it feel when you finally finished? How is that like carrying our “cross” as Christians?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Jesus says we shouldn’t love anything—even family or possessions—more than him. Can you think of a time when it was hard to put Jesus first?


• Why is it important to remember both the difficulty and the joy of following Jesus?

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