LUKE 9:23-27 – “And Jesus said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.””
THEME OF THE DAY: DISCIPLESHIP ACCORDING TO JESUS. In reading the New Testament letter of Philippians, we are reading one of Apostle Paul’s most personal letters. He shares his deep affection for the Philippians believers (chapter one), his desire to have his imprisonment for Christ be glorifying to the Lord (chapter one and two), and he proclaims his personal testimony in chapter three . . .
“That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10).
Notice the chief component of Paul’s testimony. It is Christ. Paul wants more of Christ; to know Him more, to experience more of His resurrection power, and to share or participate in Christ’s sufferings. These are to be the elements in every testimony of every Christian. As for me personally? I love the first two – to know Christ more and the power of His resurrection. I am not too warm about the suffering side of being a follower of Christ, and to be frank, neither are any of you! We are averse to suffering. We don’t like pain. All of us want to know more of Christ and His resurrection power, but the suffering part, not so much.
In today’s Scripture, Jesus clearly states what He requires of His followers: deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him. Each requirement involves suffering. To deny yourself means putting the interests of Christ and others ahead of personal interests, not some of the time, but all the time. To take up your cross is to die to one’s will, desires, and pursuits daily, and it is a complete death. To follow Christ is to have all of life shaped and directed by obedience to God’s Word. These are difficult to embrace, yet embrace we must. Jesus does not negotiate or consider optional these requirements for all those who would follow Him. Yes, Jesus isn’t the only one to carry a cross. None of His followers avoid the painful experience of daily dying to self by carrying a cross of Christ’s choosing.
But don’t focus on the pain of being a disciple of Jesus. Focus on the privilege, the joy, and the glorious day we see Him and hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Such words will make every minute of cross bearing worth it!
PRAYER: Father, help me to embrace my suffering as it is – a gift from You as part of Your work in making me like Jesus.
REFLECTION: No follower of Christ avoids cross-bearing. To follow Jesus is to learn to daily die to self to live for Him.