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."
He called the crowd WITH his disciples.
This WITH stands out to me because it means that the opportunity to be saved is for everyone, not just the chosen few. The opportunity is for the chosen and the unchosen, the free and the enslaved, the cream of the crop and the degenerate, Jews and Gentiles, everyone.
If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves, take up their cross and follow.
This scripture tells me that there is a process to becoming a follower of Jesus.
1. Deny yourself- maybe this means, like, live an altruistic lifestyle or maybe, it's like a semi-Buddhist stance in that one tries to live without desire, because desire is selfish. But, Buddhists don't recognize Jesus as Christ, so they are not quite followers yet.
2. Take up your cross- take responsibility, carry the burden that may or may not be justly yours. Be uncomfortable for the sake of another, become mature in your ways. Be willing to die.
3. Follow- Do what has been commanded. Do what has been said.
What would it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?
I just learned a snippet about the Illuminati club or cult. I was told that some celebrities are in this group and they have supposedly sold their soul for fame and fortune. When I heard this, I asked, "What for?" I understand that in this scripture. What is the point of gaining fame and fortune and not having a soul? What then is the point of fame and fortune? What then is the point of your life?
PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR SHOES:
CROWD- Pick up a cross? Deny myself? What does this mean? A cross is heavy and could kill me. How long do I have to hold this cross? I'm supposed to forget the fact that I have kids and spouse to feed and care for? A business to run? and just focus on standing in the street telling people to repent or go baptize them in the water like John the Baptist? Am I to move my entire family into the woods to eat locusts and honey? This is weird. I don't understand what this means, 'cause it can't mean what I think it means.
DISCIPLES- Check, got it Jesus, I'm already on it.
SIN- I don't want to give up my personal dream and goals that I feel will give me a wealthy bank account to live the wonderful life I'd like to live. I do want to rehabilitate orphanages and such, and that's why I want all the money that I want. I wonder if I were to go into the Peace Corps and start doing this work, would it make me money? I know it won't which is why I look for another route to do that work. But knowing that I'm postponing the work for the fact that I feel I will not have all the money that I want to do so is not only wrong (selfish), but also unfaithful.
PROMISE- If I sacrifice my life for the gospel, I WILL have a life.
ATTITUDE- I need to change my selfish attitude of desire. Change my desire of fame and only wanting to accomplish certain things in order to gain fame in order to do the will of God. I should do the will of God for the sake of wanting to do the will of God, not to gain fame from it.
COMMAND- Deny myself. Pick up my cross. Follow.
EXAMPLE- Jesus
PRAYER- I pray to be rid of selfish desire and entire an eternal desire to glorify the Kingdom.
ERROR- gaining the whole world, and losing my soul
TRUTH- A life dedicated to G-d, is a life.
Something to praise G-d for- That I haven't sold my soul yet. And for revealing this truth and giving this opportunity to all.
Lord, change my motive of why I do something. Allow me to take comfort and security in doing whatever it is that I do for your glory and may I believe that you will provide. Help me to not be fearful of this losing myself part and understand and do the picking up my cross and following you part. I don't want to gain the world and forfeit my soul. I don't want you to be ashamed of me. Teach me Lord, comfort me Lord, forever change me, Lord.
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