FOLLOWING JESUS

Jesus said to His disciples, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.”  (Matthew 16:24 NIV)

If we really want to be Christ-followers we need to care about what Jesus cares about, embrace who Jesus embraces, let our hearts be broken by what breaks the heart of Jesus, teach what Jesus commands, become advocates for what Jesus advocates, and follow Christ wherever He leads -- whether across the street or around the world. 

-- Rev. David T. Wilkinson, SOUND BITES Ministry™ 

#6216

THE WAY OF THE CROSS

“And Jesus said to all, ‘If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.’”  (Luke 9:23-24 ESV)

The denying ourselves, and taking up our cross, in the full extent of the expression, is not a thing of small concern. It is not expedient only, as are some of the circumstantials of religion, but it is absolutely, indispensably necessary, either to our becoming or continuing Christ’s disciples… If we do not continually deny ourselves, we do not learn of Him, but of other masters. If we do not take our cross daily, we do not come after Him, but after the world, or the prince of the world, or our own fleshly mind. If we are not walking in the way of the cross, we are not following Him. We are not treading in His steps, but going back from, or at least wide of, Christ. 

-- From “The Works of John Wesley, Sermon XLVIII, On Self Denial” by Albert C. Outler

#6215

THE HANDS OF CHRIST

“So the other disciples told Thomas, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into His side, I will never believe.’ Eight days later, the disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then He said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in My side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.’”  (John 20:25-27 ESV)

These hands fed the multitude but gave them more than bread.  These hands healed the sick, but gave them more than health.  These hands touched the sinner, but gave him more than encouragement.  These hands expressed the pity of God, as well as the suffering of the Son of man.  He who began to identify Himself with us in baptism, identifies Himself with us in our sorrows and makes us whole.

These hands began no economic reform, initiated no political action, started no social transformation.  These hands were given over to His enemies, laid on a cross, pierced by nails, torn in agony, hurt for a wearisome world.  Even the resurrected Jesus bears the nail prints in His hands for all to see. 

-- H. S. Vigeveno in “Jesus the Revolutionary”  [1966]

#6214

TO WHOM DO WE GRAVITATE?

“And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ But when He heard it, Jesus said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.’”  (Matthew 9:10-13 ESV)

It occurs to me that one way to test the authenticity of our faith is to ask ourselves to whom do we gravitate as we make our way through life: to the power brokers, the shakers and movers, the beautiful people who make us feel so much better about ourselves?  Or do we move toward those who have nothing going for them in this world, and who can do nothing for us?  Are we willing to befriend and listen to those awkward people others avoid?  Can we love them when love seems useless, when we cannot help them?  Can we care about them though they never return our affection?  Can we do this in faithful obedience to God, even though no one sees or knows but He?

We can when we remember that God is the Father of the downtrodden and disenfranchised, and that includes us.  We too have nothing but our wretchedness to bring to God.  Only when we remember His sympathy for us can we speak or act in sympathy for others.  Then we have a faith that emulates Christ. 

-- Adapted from “Growing Slowly Wise” by David Roper

#6213

A NEW PERSPECTIVE

I do not believe we can always properly label the moments that come to us.

Last spring one of my closest friends had a very serious heart attack. For a while it really didn’t look like he would make it. But he grew better and was finally strong enough for the surgery which is supposed to give him a new lease on life. I was with him in the fall and he was still talking about the experience.

“How did you like your heart attack?” I asked. “It scared me to death, almost,” he replied.

“Would you like to do it again?”  “No!”

“Would you recommend it?”  “Definitely not.”

“Does your life mean more to you than it did before?”  “Well, yes.”

“You and your wife have always had a beautiful marriage, but are you closer than ever?”  “Yes.”

“How about that new granddaughter?”  “Yes. Did I show you her picture?”

“Do you have a new compassion for people -- a deeper understanding and sympathy?”  “Yes.”

“Do you know the Lord in a richer, deeper fellowship than you had ever realized could be possible?”  “Yes.”

“How’d you like your heart attack?”  Silence was his answer. 

-- Adapted from “Something’s Going on Here” by Bob Benson

#6212