THE SET UP
Maybe you’ve heard someone who is going through a tough situation say, “It’s just my cross to bear.” The idea behind that saying is that just like Jesus bore the suffering of the cross, we all have some suffering to bear in our lives. But is that what Jesus meant when He told His followers they had to take up their cross every day and follow Him? One thing is for sure, Jesus didn’t pull any punches with His followers. He let them know that suffering and being put to death were in His future, but it was all part of God’s plan. He then told them to take up their crosses and follow Him. There are so many incredible promises in the Bible about the blessings of following God’s ways. But there is also a message of self-denial. Of dying to your own wants and desires so you can live for Christ’s wants and desires. We miss that part of the message sometimes. And when the going gets tough, we tend to wonder why God doesn’t make it easier, rather than denying ourselves and following. May today’s reading help us to remember that Jesus calls us to different, and sometimes this different life is a challenge. But we can trust Him to bring us to a better place.
PASSAGE TO READ
Luke 9:21-36 (Page 622 in our house bibles)
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What do you think about Jesus’ warning and challenge to His followers?
When Jesus says, “If you give up your life for my sake, you will save it?” Do you think He means literal dying or something else?
What, in your opinion, did Jesus want Peter, James, and John, to learn when He took them with Him to the mountain to pray?
PRAYER IDEA
Ask God to give you the strength and wisdom to carry your cross and follow Him today.