Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24 NIV
The idea here is that we are done with ourselves. Done with our ways. Done with what pleases us. Our thoughts, our ambitions, and our desires all take second place to Jesus. We have surrendered our will to Jesus. What matters now is not ourselves, because we have denied ourself. What matters now is the One whom we follow. Those who are following Jesus are those who have denied themselves. Those who still are clinging to their own agenda for life aren’t following Jesus. Taking up our cross. This doesn’t mean much to us today. But, it is certain that the disciples would have understood what this meant. The cross was an instrument of torture and execution. When Jesus used the picture of taking up the cross, many images passed through their minds. Suffering was included. Pain was included. Difficulty was included. Hardship was included. Ridicule was included. Abuse was included. Paul encouraged the churches to continue in the faith, saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). Following Jesus means the path of obedience. We cannot have a Lord that we do not obey. It doesn’t work. It is like swimming without getting wet. It is like living without breathing. It is impossible. To have a “Lord” means that we have a master whom we will obey. God’s call down through the ages has always been the same: He desires an obedient people. Jesus does not trick us into following Him, He has spelt out the conditions clearly.
PRAYER THOUGHT
Lord Jesus, thank You for spelling out the conditions of following You.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord Jesus, thank You for not trying to trick us into following You, You have spelt out the conditions very clearly. AMEN
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)
Matthew 4:12-25
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