When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.”
Mark 8:34
Libraries are filled with books about discipleship. Discipleship programs are everywhere, and come in all shapes and sizes. Jesus Himself lays out the pattern of the life of a disciple.
First, a disciple must desire to follow Jesus. There are churches that are full of people who want to be entertained, served, or just to appease their conscience. A true follower of Jesus desires to be more like Jesus.
Second, a disciple learns to deny himself. That means doing what the Lord wants you to do rather than doing your own thing. Being obedient to Him takes priority over what I think or want.
Three, a disciple must take up their “cross.” The cross here was a symbol of death. Those listening to Jesus that day understood that to “take up his cross” was a commitment to the death. Beloved it was to be a life-long journey.
Finally, to follow Jesus. A disciple was to immolate the person of Jesus. A disciple is to grow to the point where we think like Jesus, talk like Jesus, walk like Jesus, love like Jesus, act like Jesus, in order to show Jesus to the world.
Beloved, may it be our goal in life to be a true disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s be “doers of the word, not listeners only.” Let’s follow Jesus.
- Pray for the Youth
- Pray for the Staff
- Pray for SS Teachers