Pain and Offense

People we don’t really love offend us. People we really love hurt us. Both of these responses must come to be surrendered to the power of the cross.

Jesus was paying for our offenses and our harm of Him when He took the position of Priest and Sacrifice on the cross. When we take up our crosses, we become worthy of being called His followers. In taking up our crosses, our lives can become effective in the lives of those we love.

The person who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; the person who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And whoever doesn’t take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Anyone finding his life will lose it, and anyone losing his life because of Me will find it.
(Matthew 10:37-39 Holman Christian Standard Bible ©®)