The ninth chapter of Luke brings us many indications of God's power. In this chapter, Jesus sends his twelve disciples out for the first time to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. We learn, too, that Herod, the emperor, is concerned about who this Jesus really is. Certainly he cannot really believe he is the Son of God! We also read that Jesus fed thousands of people with only five loaves of bread and two fish! "My goodness," we are bound to say, "Is this a joke?"
But wait, there's more! In the ninth chapter Study we find: "To the astonishment of Peter, John, and James, --Jesus appears, glowing, along with the figures of Moses, who represents the Law, and Elijah, representing the Prophets, with God's voice singling out Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah telling the three apostles who were witnesses that Jesus would fulfill both the Law and the Prophets." (Matt. 5:17) Hallelujah!
In this same chapter is a declaration of what Jesus expects from those who agree to follow him. Luke 9:23 and 24 reads, "If anyone would come after me (follow), he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me, will save it."
Now, that is tough to hear! Does Jesus want us to die? Losing one's life usually means "to die." Well, the answer to that, as I know it, is "Yes." We are asked to die, but not to never live in the world again. No. It means to die to self. And that is complicated enough!
What it means to die to self, at least in my understanding, is to not place yourself first in importance. Christ Jesus comes before our own selves, which also means we think first of what Jesus would have us do, have us think about, study for, write about, plan for, etc. Jesus and His desire for us comes first before anything else or anyone else. His word is my command.
For example,( and forgive me if I have written about this before) I had long suffered for believing I was "born bad." And I continued to act badly, according to me. God put a stop to it! No more! Basically, I was told, "Do not see yourself in any way other than as I see you. Love yourself as I love you." And if you do hurt someone, go to that person and ask forgiveness." ( God is very big on forgivingness and in our asking for it!) Putting myself out there as "bad" was like thinking too much and worrying about myself. He must come first!
In the study for this chapter, I learned, "People are willing to pay a high price for something they value. Is it any surprise that Jesus would demand this much commitment from His followers? There are at least three conditions that must be met by people who want to follow Jesus. We must be willing to deny self, to take up our crosses, and to follow him. Anything else is superficial lip service."
Eventually, you will learn what it means to deny self. And you will know how to take up your cross. Even, to follow Him, you will also come to know. Each of us , in turn, have to come to this same place.
Protect your Life in Christ, and trust the Holy Spirit to teach you, as He is always there. The same goes for me.
Love from the far North,
Jo in MN
No comments:
Post a Comment