According to Scripture, traditions, and sources such as Fox’s Book of Martyrs many early disciples pad a high physical price for following Christ.
- Stephen was stoned (Acts 7).
- James was beheaded (Acts 12).
- Philip was scourged, imprisoned, and crucified.
- Matthew was killed by the sword.
- James, the Less was stoned and his skull smashed with a club.
- Mathias was stoned and beheaded at Jerusalem.
- Andrew was crucified on a transverse cross (a cross shaped like an X).
- Mark was dragged to death at a pagan feast.
- Peter was crucified upside down.
- Paul was beheaded by Nero.
- Jude was crucified.
- Bartholomew was beaten and crucified by pagans.
- Thomas was thrust through with a spear.
- Luke was crucified on and olive tree.
- Simon was also crucified.
- John was banished to Patmos and would die of natural causes.
These truths and traditions bring me to Luke 9:23, . . . “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Deny self, take up cross, and follow
Three questions:
- What does Jesus mean when He tells us to deny ourselves?
- What does He mean when he tells us to take up our cross?
- What is involved in following Jesus?
I look forward to your answers.
-Scott
Driving Thought 