Getting It Right!

Getting it Right!

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. Mark 8:34‭-‬35 NIV

Jesus always had a crowd around him, following him closely and listening to Him. However, one thing was also clear about the crowds: out of the many, there were always a few who went the extra mile to apply what they heard and got the miracle they desired. We read about the woman with the issue of blood, blind Bartimeaus; ordinary, sometimes nameless people, but their lives speak today, because they stood out of the crowd and applied faith to what they had heard. How do you hear? What do you do with what you hear?

The same principle applies in today's extract and to our lives today. Jesus called both the crowd and his disciples to Him. Both classes were following Him, but the difference was in surrender and sincerity. As I look at my life today, the question also comes to me: which am I: part of the crowd or a disciple? Whichever one I claim to be, the qualification for discipleship is made clear, so i can again evaluate myself in the light of what God has said. First, it is a personal decision, which God will not force on me. Secondly, a disciple willingly surrenders self to the control and direction of the master, is willing to take instructions and is ready to obey.

Thirdly, there is a place for sacrificial living, where what I want isn't the focus, but what the master desires. All three positions must be present if I will indeed be a disciple of Christ. Self will does not count here; sometimes, you must be willing to forgo rights. You don't become stupid; you simply allow the life of God flow through you to a hurt and dying world. Nothing I do can secure my life; no amount of money can stop death from coming; the only way I can secure my life is by service and total devotion to the One called Life himself.

Man may not reckon with you; you could be just a number to many; if you truly follow Christ, you lose nothing. Don't just be a number; be a disciple. Learn at the feet of Christ, and then go lead the crowd back to Him. His time of favour is here.