Devotion:
Read Luke 9:23-26.
Our church’s mission is “learning to live the way of Jesus Christ and inviting all to follow him.” Today’s scripture reveals Jesus’ own understanding of what his way is. “Deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow him,” is what Jesus is teaching his disciples.
It often appears throughout scripture that Jesus’ disciples thought that Jesus had been sent to be an earthly king to restore Israel to its power. Jesus’ disciples wanted to share in that earthly power. But Jesus saw through their motives and continually had to remind them that faithful discipleship called for self-sacrifice and a willingness to share in the suffering for the sake of others.
Jesus asked them the profound question which goes straight to the heart, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?”
Jesus' words are still true for today’s disciples. We have pledged to follow the One who calls us to deny our self and take up the way of sacrifice. Daily, with the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit, we must examine our motives and our ways. Are our motives for selfish gains for power and wealth or are we genuinely seeking to follow the way of Jesus Christ by denying self, with a willingness to suffer for the sake of Christ and others?
Personal Worship Option:
Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:21 that “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Gracious God, help me to take an honest look at my footsteps in following Christ. How am I spending my time, my money, my energy and my talents? Am I building up treasures on earth for selfish gain or am I following Christ's way of self-sacrifice for your Kingdom’s eternal work? Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment