‘What did the cross mean to Jesus? It was something that He took up voluntarily, not something that was imposed on Him. It involved sacrifice, suffering and death. It involved costly renunciations. It was symbolic of rejection by the world and death to self. Itis to cross-bearing of this nature that the disciple is always called. It involves a willingness to accept being unpopular and even exclusion from society for Jesus’ sake. We can reject the eross simply by conforming our lives to the world’s standards. Af the Christian is unwilling to fulfill the condition of an unceasing cross-bearing, our Lord categorically stated “He cannot be my disciple.” An Unreserved Surrender “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. ” (Luke 14:33) “Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it ‘good-bye, you can't be my disciple.” (Luke 14:33-The Message) The first condition, an unrivaled love, has to do with the affections of our heart. The second condition, an unceasing cross-bearing, has to do with the conduct of our life. The third condition, an unreserved ‘surrender, has to do with our personal possessions. Of the three conditions outlined, the third one, an ‘unreserved surrender is probably the most difficult one for us to accept in the covetous and materialistic ‘age in which we live. We ask “Did Jesus really mean what He said to be taken literally? Did He really ‘mean that we must give up everything!?” Yes my brothers and sisters, He meant everything! ‘What was our Lord really asking for? Did He mean that we are to sell all that we have and give it to the church? Not necessarily, but He was claiming the right to dispose of all our possessions. He wants us to recognize that all our possessions are in reality His and that He has given them to us not as owners but only as stewards. This was the test that our Lord gave to the “rich young rulec” who came inquiring as to what he should do in order to secure eternal life. Jesus answered, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me" (Matthew 19:21). The man had to choose between Jesus Christ and His many possessions, He failed the test. Because he was unwilling to forsake all, he disqualified himself from being a disciple of Christ, Jesus must be given pre-eminence over all our possessions. There are two ways in which we can hold our possessions. We can grasp them tightly in a clenched fist and say “These are mine to do with as I please.” Or we can hold them with our hand inverted and open and say “These are yours Lord, Iam only the steward of your possessions. If you want any of them, tell ‘me and I will let them go.” The latter attitude and statement reflect the position of the true disciple. A person’s attitude towards their possessions is a clear indication of the reality and sincerity of their discipleship. When we consider our stewardship of money for example, what is our attitude? Is it “How much of my money will I give to God?” Or is it “How much of God’s money will I keep for myself?” (Of the Christian who is unwilling to fulfill the condition of an unreserved surrender, the Lord Jesus Christ states categorically “He cannot be my disciple.” Brothers and sisters unless we are willing to fulfill all these conditions we cannot be disciples of Jesus and if we cannot be His disciples what then shall we do? To whom shall we go? There is no area of compromise with Jesus. It is either His way entirely or no way at all. Having learned of the conditions of discipleship, we must make a decision. Who is willing to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?