Mattityahu 10:38

38 The one who does not take up his etz shel hakarav atzmo (tree of selfsacrifice) and follow after me, is not worthy of me.

Mattityahu 10:38 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 10:38

And he that taketh not his cross
By the "cross", which was a Roman punishment, whereby malefactors were put to death, are meant all sorts of afflictions, reproaches, persecutions, and death itself; and particularly the ill will, hatred, and persecution, of near relations and friends, which must be expected by such, who bear a faithful testimony for Christ. Every minister of Christ, or professor of his name, has "his" own cross, his own particular afflictions, appointed by God, and laid on him by Christ, and which he should cheerfully take up, and patiently bear, for his sake. The allusion is to the custom of persons sentenced to be crucified, to carry their own cross, as Christ did his, and Simon the Cyrenian for him; and which our Lord here may have a respect unto, as well knowing what death he was to die, and that some of his disciples also would die the same death: wherefore Christ says,

and followeth after me;
led on by his example, to preach or profess the Gospel, submit to the ordinances of it, and cheerfully suffer for the sake of it, when called to it. If a man, who would be thought to be a disciple of Christ, is not willing to do all this, but, in order to avoid it, complies with his friends, conforms to the world, and turns his back on Christ; of such an one he may well say, he

is not worthy of me;
it is not convenient that he should stand among his disciples and followers.

Mattityahu 10:38 In-Context

36 And the OIYVEI ISH ANSHEI VEITO (the enemies of a man will be the members of his own household, MICHOH 7:6).

37 The one who has more ahavah (love) for a tata (papa) or a mama than for me [Moshiach] is not worthy of me [Moshiach], and the one who has more ahavah (love) for a ben or a bat than me is not worthy of me.

38 The one who does not take up his etz shel hakarav atzmo (tree of selfsacrifice) and follow after me, is not worthy of me.

39 The one who has found his nefesh will lose it; the one who has lost his nefesh for my sake [lemaan Moshiach] will find it.

40 The one who gives the kabbalat panim (welcome) to you gives the Baruch Habah (welcome) to me [to Moshiach], and the one who gives the Baruch Habah to me [Moshiach] gives the Baruch Habah to the One [Elohim HaAv] who sent me.