Let's ALL Get Crucified!
Many people who have adopted the comforting view that Christians are not supposed to suffer, but prosper, often assert that Christ suffered for us. Thus, we don't have to. (It's the height of intellectual dishonesty for anyone to suggest this because they argue with vast portions of Scripture, both Old and New Testament.) But here, Jesus clearly relates his own suffering to what we can expect, as well. Verses 22-23 concern Jesus' crucifixion. But in verse 24 on, he redirects his remarks to those who follow him. "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
