34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.
This teaching of Jesus comes on the heels of Peter’s rebuke to Him over Jesus’ prediction of His death and in turn, Jesus’ rebuke to Peter due to his thoughts and affections pointing toward that of man’s rather than God’s. How easy for us to think like Peter! We are into us aren’t we?!? Jesus calls us into a different way of thinking. He begins by sharing with the crowd and His disciples this very important truth – If you want to follow me you must deny self. What? You mean I must give up my rights? Surely I heard wrong! No, Jesus is clear – if I desire or will to be His attendant along this road called life I must deny self – His will over mine – He is to be Master and Lord over my life and not me. All are invited to come after Him and follow in His way but it is at the cost of self denial. He will lose some followers here for many enjoy His words – they are as sweet love songs – yet they do not put them into practice. Ezekiel tells us: 30 "As for you, son of man, your countrymen are talking together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, saying to each other, 'Come and hear the message that has come from the LORD.' 31 My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. 32 Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice. Ezek 33:30-32 (NIV) Secondly, Jesus calls us to bear our crosses – take them up so to speak and follow Him. What crosses has He allowed for you to carry? The list is endless. One thing I am confident we can all agree on is that pain is rampant. No one escapes its vast reach. But He says to carry it. Why? There are many reasons for this command not the least of which is that He desires for us to go through these trials (crosses) with joy so that through His power we can be a witness to a hurting world. It is simply supernatural to embrace with joy what He allows knowing it is for our good and His glory - never one surpassing the other. There is a vast difference between suffering through a cross and enduring it with joy confident of the outcome. It is said of Jesus in Hebrews 12: 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Heb 12:2-3 (NIV) Jesus turned the world upside down – so to speak – with His teaching – “Turn the other cheek”; “Go the extra mile”; “Love your enemies”; “Pray for those who persecute you”; you get the picture. All these seem a simpler task than if you want to save your life, you must lose it. It sounds like a dreadful experience but it is the very essence of abundant life. You will never be able to out give God. Trust me in this – better yet, trust Him in this