Matthew 16:24 AMP
[24] Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple],he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].
As always, there is a different message for the crowd, and a different focus for the disciple. The same words may be said to both groups of people, but the expectation or response would be different for both groups. However, there would always be a time when even though Jesus is addressing a particular set of people, His message is actually for the whole world. Today's extract is one of such instances. The verse above makes a clear invitation to everyone who will listen to the counsel given by Christ, and it is for ANYONE. Jesus makes no discrimination against anyone based on their past history of sin. It does not matter how bad the past is, how murky my history has been, or how complicated the present is. Jesus keeps an eye on the future, because that is the most important consideration here. No matter what my today looks like, tomorrow must be kept in view.
It is this tomorrow that Jesus is addressing here. If I will follow Jesus, there are some foundational things that must be in place to make the following worth it. The first thing that Jesus requires is that I deny myself. It means a change of mentality, a change in pursuits and priorities and a change of direction. Whatever it was that made me tick in the past must give way to that which makes God known in and through me. Whatever it was that I used to love must give way to that which Jesus loves. I cannot insist on my own way and still expect to follow Jesus the way He wants me to. The next thing that Jesus mentions is a cross. This is where many of us may struggle. How and where did a cross show up? At no time did Jesus promise that I would not bear a cross, but He makes it clear that I will not carry it alone. The cross is fundamental to following Jesus.
How can anyone claim to follow Jesus and then reject the cross? Jesus could not take hold of the glory that awaited Him without going to the cross. In the same way, I cannot take hold of all that Jesus promises if I do not go His way too. Following Jesus makes sense when I go with the right heart, the right burden and the right attitude. Following Jesus will involve believing in Him, conforming to His example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Him. This is why the decision to follow Jesus cannot be taken carelessly or lightly. It could lead to some unpredictable occurrences, but when you consider the end of all things, you know the end will always make the experience worth it. The expectation has not changed, and the standard will not be lowered. Jesus still waits for as many as will come. Would you? God's time of favour is here.
No comments:
Post a Comment