Word@Work Luke146 - Luke 9:23-25
Published: Wed, 07/14/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
DANGEROUS ASSIGNMENT
Luke 9:23-25 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?" (NIV)
The secret was out! Jesus had agreed that Peter was right; the Master was none other than the anointed Son of God. He had come to defeat the evil intentions of Satan (1 John 3:8); and now the battle was out in the open. The days of rollercoaster popularity were over; from now on the opposition would intensify: it would lead Jesus to the cross. But that was not all: those who wanted to follow Him would need to go to their cross too.
The 'cross of discipleship' for most of the Twelve would not end in physical death by wood and nails, but a voluntary denial of all that pleased the selfish nature. In obeying Father God, Jesus did not please Himself (even in Gethsemane and Golgotha); and no disciple had any right to please themselves either. Alas, one disciple (Judas Iscariot) would make the wrong decision and become a vivid example of the dangers of apostasy. So the Master laid it on the line: either choose to lose the right to please yourself, or lose the privilege of eternal life! It was a very stark message which cut through the popularity culture surrounding Jesus, because there is no point in getting everything that this world offers and then losing all that Jesus would die to gain for those who love and obey Him.
The key to true discipleship is still the willing, voluntary, obedient choice to deny the flesh what it wants; so that we can give to God what He commands. For Jesus it was His life as a sacrifice for the sins of the world ... for us it is to sacrifice what we desire. However much we rationalise holding onto our right to please ourselves, these words of Jesus put our selfish fleshliness into His Divine perspective. So, if you have been playing at being a disciple of Jesus Christ, it is time to get real: if you have been resisting God's will, it is time to submit: if you have felt the pain of self-sacrifice and are tempted to turn back ... remember Jesus. As Hebrews 12:2-3 says, "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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Prayer: Almighty God. Thank You for this reminder that my walk with You is not measured in religious rituals but in self sacrifice and obedience to Your call. Please forgive me for the many times when I have demanded my right to what I want. Help me to understand the nature of Christ's sacrifice and therefore be willing to follow Him in giving up my personal rights in order that I may follow Him more closely. Please give me Your grace to keep living as a true disciple of Jesus Christ. In His Name. Amen.
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The secret was out! Jesus had agreed that Peter was right; the Master was none other than the anointed Son of God. He had come to defeat the evil intentions of Satan (1 John 3:8); and now the battle was out in the open. The days of rollercoaster popularity were over; from now on the opposition would intensify: it would lead Jesus to the cross. But that was not all: those who wanted to follow Him would need to go to their cross too.
The 'cross of discipleship' for most of the Twelve would not end in physical death by wood and nails, but a voluntary denial of all that pleased the selfish nature. In obeying Father God, Jesus did not please Himself (even in Gethsemane and Golgotha); and no disciple had any right to please themselves either. Alas, one disciple (Judas Iscariot) would make the wrong decision and become a vivid example of the dangers of apostasy. So the Master laid it on the line: either choose to lose the right to please yourself, or lose the privilege of eternal life! It was a very stark message which cut through the popularity culture surrounding Jesus, because there is no point in getting everything that this world offers and then losing all that Jesus would die to gain for those who love and obey Him.
The key to true discipleship is still the willing, voluntary, obedient choice to deny the flesh what it wants; so that we can give to God what He commands. For Jesus it was His life as a sacrifice for the sins of the world ... for us it is to sacrifice what we desire. However much we rationalise holding onto our right to please ourselves, these words of Jesus put our selfish fleshliness into His Divine perspective. So, if you have been playing at being a disciple of Jesus Christ, it is time to get real: if you have been resisting God's will, it is time to submit: if you have felt the pain of self-sacrifice and are tempted to turn back ... remember Jesus. As Hebrews 12:2-3 says, "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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Prayer: Almighty God. Thank You for this reminder that my walk with You is not measured in religious rituals but in self sacrifice and obedience to Your call. Please forgive me for the many times when I have demanded my right to what I want. Help me to understand the nature of Christ's sacrifice and therefore be willing to follow Him in giving up my personal rights in order that I may follow Him more closely. Please give me Your grace to keep living as a true disciple of Jesus Christ. In His Name. Amen.
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