Text: Luke 9:23 NKJV
Further Reading: Luke 9:24-26; 57-62
Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Luke 9:23 NKJV
MESSAGE
Following Jesus is the best thing anyone can do on this side of eternity. To follow Jesus means to be His disciple but this usually comes at a great cost. One man who desired to follow Jesus but was unwilling to pay the price of following Christ was the rich young ruler. The Bible recorded that he went away sorrowful because he would not give up the world to gain God (Matthew 19:16-32)/
In today’s lesson, we will be looking at the things that Jesus taught about discipleship. The first thing we must note is that only those who are willing to pay the price for following Jesus will be qualified as His disciple. The Lord said, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Matthew 16:24 NKJV
This means that everything about you must be relinquished, you have to give up your rights and allow Jesus to lead. You must know that without Jesus you can do nothing. Paul the apostle describes it this way,
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 2:20 NKJV
In our reading of the day, we saw how Jesus would not allow any excuse to deter men from following. This shows that nothing worldly is worth pursuing at the expense of committed discipleship under Christ. The Lord also showed us that the life of the disciple is not that of ease and comfort. That is why Christ also advises that those who will follow Him must count the cost before they come on board (Luke 14:25-33).
Since the disciple is not greater than his master, the Lord also taught that His followers will be persecuted (Matthew 10:24-25). To follow Jesus godly in this world will mean enduring shame, persecution, and in some cases death. We must ask God for the grace to keep standing for him.
Knowing all these, you must respond to the call of Jesus just as He said to Peter, “Follow Me”. The yoke of Christ is easy and His burden is light. Jesus is simply asking you to follow Him into a life of rest in time and in eternity. What will your response be?
REFLECTION
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.
Matthew 19:29 NKJV
God is not calling you to waste your life. Following Jesus pays in the end, therefore do your best to follow Jesus daily and closely.
PRAYER
Father, please help me follow You daily and closely for today. Amen
