Winning a Kingdom: Embracing Christ's Cross Daily

"The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." Matthew 10:7

Finding Freedom Through Embracing Christ's Cross Daily

In one of my favorite films, Gladiator, there's a moment that has always stuck with me. The gruff lanista Proximo, portrayed by Oliver Reed, leans in to Russell Crowe's fallen general Maximus and reveals the secret to survival in the arena: "Win the crowd, win your freedom."

The scene unfolds in the shadowy underbelly of the Roman world, where worth is measured by entertainment value. Proximo's advice is pragmatic and worldly—put on a show, make them love you, give the masses what they crave, and you'll earn your liberty. How often we face this same temptation in our own lives: perform for approval, please the fickle masses, and shape ourselves to win everyone's affection.

This worldly wisdom stands in stark contrast to the way of Christ.

True Kingdom Victory by Embracing Christ's Cross Daily

Jesus doesn't call us to win the crowd. He calls us to follow Him—even when the path leads to suffering. Thomas à Kempis writes in The Imitation of Christ, "Jesus has always many who love His heavenly kingdom, but few who bear His cross. He has many who desire consolation, but few who care for trial. He finds many to share His table, but few to take part in His fasting. All desire to be happy with Him; few wish to suffer anything for Him."

How convicting! I am guilty of readily embracing the blessings of Jesus, yet when hardship comes, my enthusiasm often wanes.

À Kempis continues, "Many revere His miracles; few approach the shame of the cross. Many love Him as long as they encounter no hardship; many praise and bless Him as long as they receive some comfort from Him, but if Jesus hides Himself and leaves them for a while they fall either into complaints or in a deep dejection."

Jesus calls us to a different path than the world offers. While Rome celebrated spectacle and crowd approval, Jesus invites us into a Kingdom where sacrifice holds more value than popularity and carrying our cross matters more than personal comfort. À Kempis explains, "Those who hear the word of the cross and follow it willingly now need not fear that they will hear of eternal damnation on the day of judgment. Why, then, do you fear to take up the cross when through it you can win a kingdom?"

Jesus Himself said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23). Jesus's words are not optional for His disciples. We cannot avoid suffering in this life; we can only choose how we respond to it: "If you carry it unwillingly, you create a burden for yourself and increase the load, though still you have to bear it. If you cast away one cross, you will find another and perhaps a heavier one" (à Kempis). Since suffering will always be present in this life, we will always have to bear a cross.

The path of embracing Christ's cross daily is never easy, but it leads to lasting freedom. Peter reminds us: "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed" (1 Peter 4:12-13).

Unlike Maximus, we don't win our freedom by pleasing the crowd. We find true freedom by following Christ, embracing His cross, and bearing it willingly—even when no one is watching, especially when the crowd turns away.

Through the cross, we win something far greater than the crowd's approval. We win the

Kingdom.

Daily Goal: Today, identify one "cross" in your life—one difficulty or challenge. Instead of avoiding it or carrying it reluctantly, embrace it willingly as participation in Christ's sufferings. Ask God to help you see how this hardship is shaping you into the image of His Son. Always improve the present moment.