“When we commit ourselves to the following of Christ, we can be assured that we will also share in His Cross”
Jesus said to pick up OUR OWN cross and follow Him. The only way in which we can “share in His Cross” is through the bread and wine,, wherein He shares Himself with us.
“To the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.” (1 Peter 4:13)
”For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.”<\i> (2 Corinthians 1:5)
” Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,” (Colossians 1:24)