July 5
Mark 8:34-9:1
The worst form of punishment by the Romans was to be crucified on a cross. To make it even worse, sometimes criminals were forced to carry their own crosses to the place they were to be hung. This was intended to humiliate them even further. Jesus, as we know, will soon have to endure this cruelty. In this passage, however, He uses it as an example of how His disciples (and us as Christians) are supposed to live. He gives us three specific tasks in order to be His follower. First we must deny ourselves. The NLT version says, “Turn from your selfish ways.” When we decide to follow Christ, it means that nothing can come before Him. Not even ourselves. “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.” (1 Peter 5:6 NLT) The second thing we must do is take up our cross. Being a Christian is not easy. We may not have to literally walk to our death with a heavy cross on our backs. But following Jesus comes with suffering, be it physical or emotional. The last thing we have to do to be a follower of Christ is…well, actually follow Christ. We learned yesterday the importance of being in God’s will. It’s easy to say, harder to do. The price may seem great, but the reward is even greater! Just remember when you are considering symbolically taking up your cross, that Jesus actually carried a cross. And it wasn’t even His cross to bear, it was ours.
Principle: In order to find true fulfillment one must deny himself, take up his cross and follow Christ.
Application:
1. Is following Jesus the goal of my life?
2. What is Jesus asking me to deny myself today?
3. What is He asking me to take up (my cross) in order to accomplish His purpose for my life?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
As I sit here and review this lesson, (of course I have the radio on) the song "I'm letting go" by Francesca Battistelli comes on. This songs helped me put things in perceptive about 5 months ago. If you have not heard this I encourage you to at least look up the lyrics. One line that really sticks with me is "I'm letting go of the life I planned for me and my dreams."
ReplyDeleteTo make a long story short I just finished grad school last year and planned on continuing on some education with national board certification. I had many things all planned out. But God had different plans and completly changed my direction. Instead I will dig deeper into my christain education with a Bible Study leadership position (which I never thought I could do). This is a leap of faith but I know God will guide me and provide all that I need.
I learned a word in seminary: "ego-centric." It's the idea that by virture of our sinful nature (the old man) we expect the world to revolve around us. A simpler word is "selfishness." Dying to self means dying to selfishness. It means that our world revolves around Christ rather than self. Dying to self is a daily discipline. It is intentionally "crucifying" (I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live...) our selfish desires so that we live for God's purposes rather than our own. Here's the kicker: none of us will probably be called to be a martyr. In a way, martyrdom is easier than the daily death. To go out in a blaze of glory is something we might be able to do. But to put our spouse's needs ahead of our own, to give up some television time to spend time in the Word, to give your life to God a nickle at a time rather than in one big glorious act, that's difficult. But it is exactly what taking up our cross daily means.
ReplyDelete"Please take from me my life
When I don't have the strength
to give it away to You Jesus." --Third Day