Mark 8:34-38 I've linked this passage to the Message version of these verses this time because I like the way it phrases what Jesus is saying.
This is always a tough passage for me to read, because I find myself failing on so many levels. Jesus is telling the crowd that if they want to come after Him, they must do 3 things:
Deny self.
Take up your cross.
Follow Him.
I am to deny myself daily. This life is not about me, it's about bringing glory and honor to God. God didn't place me on this earth to pursue all the pleasures that this world has to offer.
I am to take up my cross. Luke adds the word "daily" to the part about taking up my cross. I'd even go so far as to say sometimes, it's moment by moment that I need to take up my cross. As a Christian, I need to expect suffering in my life. This life will not be easy.
I am to follow Jesus. I need to follow His leading. As the Message puts it, I'm "not in the driver's seat," Jesus is, when I allow Him to be. The key word is to allow Him to lead...it goes back to denying myself. There are many times I find that what I want, where I want to go, what I want to do doesn't necessarily mesh with God's plan, and I have a choice to make. I can do what I want to do or I can follow where Jesus is leading.
In the next part of this passage, Jesus goes on to say that if I am embarrassed or ashamed of Him in this world, then He will be ashamed of me when He returns. This one really hits home for me as well. I like my nice, comfortable group of Christian friends. I don't have to worry about being embarrassed to talk about Christ. The test comes when I am with people who don't know God. I find I try to keep quiet and not mention Christ for fear of offending them. That does bring me great shame. There are Christians in other parts of the world who are willing to give their lives for Christ. They are not ashamed to speak of Him; in fact I've read countless stories of where they count it joy to serve Christ in the midst of their suffering. What would my response be when faced with their situation? There is a small part of me that envies that joy those Christians face. I know nothing of that kind of suffering; I know nothing of that kind of faith in and love for Christ. What am I afraid of happening here in America? mean words, harassment, loss of friendship, loss of job? That's nothing compared to the suffering of those elsewhere, and that doesn't even compare to the suffering Christ did for me.
This life is not about me. It's all about Christ, and what He's done for me and sharing that with the lost. The rewards for denying myself, taking up my cross and following Christ will be far greater than any possession I could ever want while living on this earth. God gives me what I need to follow Christ, but I have to accept it and claim the power He gives me.
This is always a tough passage for me to read, because I find myself failing on so many levels. Jesus is telling the crowd that if they want to come after Him, they must do 3 things:
Deny self.
Take up your cross.
Follow Him.
I am to deny myself daily. This life is not about me, it's about bringing glory and honor to God. God didn't place me on this earth to pursue all the pleasures that this world has to offer.
I am to take up my cross. Luke adds the word "daily" to the part about taking up my cross. I'd even go so far as to say sometimes, it's moment by moment that I need to take up my cross. As a Christian, I need to expect suffering in my life. This life will not be easy.
I am to follow Jesus. I need to follow His leading. As the Message puts it, I'm "not in the driver's seat," Jesus is, when I allow Him to be. The key word is to allow Him to lead...it goes back to denying myself. There are many times I find that what I want, where I want to go, what I want to do doesn't necessarily mesh with God's plan, and I have a choice to make. I can do what I want to do or I can follow where Jesus is leading.
In the next part of this passage, Jesus goes on to say that if I am embarrassed or ashamed of Him in this world, then He will be ashamed of me when He returns. This one really hits home for me as well. I like my nice, comfortable group of Christian friends. I don't have to worry about being embarrassed to talk about Christ. The test comes when I am with people who don't know God. I find I try to keep quiet and not mention Christ for fear of offending them. That does bring me great shame. There are Christians in other parts of the world who are willing to give their lives for Christ. They are not ashamed to speak of Him; in fact I've read countless stories of where they count it joy to serve Christ in the midst of their suffering. What would my response be when faced with their situation? There is a small part of me that envies that joy those Christians face. I know nothing of that kind of suffering; I know nothing of that kind of faith in and love for Christ. What am I afraid of happening here in America? mean words, harassment, loss of friendship, loss of job? That's nothing compared to the suffering of those elsewhere, and that doesn't even compare to the suffering Christ did for me.
This life is not about me. It's all about Christ, and what He's done for me and sharing that with the lost. The rewards for denying myself, taking up my cross and following Christ will be far greater than any possession I could ever want while living on this earth. God gives me what I need to follow Christ, but I have to accept it and claim the power He gives me.
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