ALL I HAVE TO DO IS DIE !

In John 13:38a, Jesus asks, "Would you really die for me?"


This question was asked of Peter, and immediately following, Jesus said Peter would deny Him three times before the cock crowed the next morning. Peter was so sure he had the gumption to die for Jesus, but he could not even admit he knew Him.  Jesus knew. Jesus knew that Peter would deny Him, unable to be truthful that he was Jesus' friend, the on-trial Jesus who would not fight for His own Life! 


Am I like Peter?  Are you? Is this a question that Jesus asks of us?  Would we really die for Jesus?  It's hard for me to put myself  in the place of Peter.  Or put myself in the place of having to, literally, die for Jesus.  But, there is a figurative death, a death of one's-self, and I believe this is the death Jesus is speaking of. But this death, too, is a difficult one.


I have asked for this death many times, but somehow, my "self" always becomes resurrected and not by the Holy Spirit! I am the one responsible.


It is hard.  It is a hard thing to die to self.  From the time I was an infant, I have had to fight for my own rights.  Now, Jesus asks me to die for Him, for the right to be One with Him.  And I must give up my rights in order to be One with Him.  But that is the place I want to be!  All I have to do is to die to the rights of myself. And follow; follow Him.


Jesus, I want to live in You and be One with You.  Will you help me to die for you, Jesus?  Amen.


Jo INMN