Jesus was not only crucified, He was first stripped. But long before He was subjected to either of those unspeakable outrages, He stripped Himself: In willing and utter acceptance of the mind and will of the Father whom He loved He had laid down everything—all that He was in Heaven, all that He had. Nobody could take more from Him than He had already given.
We say we are His followers. Do we speak the truth? We meant to—but we did not know what it would entail.
“Will you deny yourself?” He asks.
“Well, yes, Lord—up to a point:’
“Will you take up your cross?”
“Yes, if it’s this one You mean. I’m not sure I’d want to take up that one:’
“Will you follow Me?”
“I think I will, Lord. How far are You going? Dear Lord, enable me to go all the way with You, for Your glory:’
**Excerpt originally published in Guided by God’s Promises, p. 304