Student Devotionals
Luke 9:23
Deny Self & Follow Jesus
When I was a kid, my Dad would always play this game with me called Mercy. I would interlock my fingers with my Dad’s fingers and we would wrestle until someone yelled out "Mercy!" in surrender to the other person. Actually, we would say “Uncle” (although I am not sure why… we lived in Indiana, and my Uncle lived in New York so there is no way that he could help me)!
I am not sure exactly why I wanted to play this game because it always ended in some pain and I never won. However, looking back on it, I think it was probably that I just loved to do anything with my Dad! I loved him and I knew that he always wanted what was best for me.
It’s sometimes necessary to go through difficult things if it means having a deep relationship with someone. In Luke 9:23 Jesus talks about something similar. He tells us what it means to be his disciple. There is some pain that comes with being a disciple, but it’s a necessary part of walking with him, and if it means getting to be with Jesus, then it’s worth it!
Read Luke 9:23 with me:
“If any one of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (NLT).
Jesus was speaking to a large crowd of people who seemed interested in being his disciple. In a lot of ways, he was calling them out for wanting to follow him for the wrong reasons. Many people in the crowd wanted to follow Jesus because of what he could do for them. After all, Jesus was doing some amazing miracles, and, in fact, he had just fed 5000 people! But it doesn’t work like that. If people are going to follow Jesus, then they have to follow on his terms… not their own!
Today, we have a lot of problems going on in the world. Things are changing all the time and no one really knows what is going to happen. A lot of people have questions and they are looking for help. While it’s true that Jesus is the ultimate solution to every problem, he has something bigger in mind. He doesn’t want us to just look to him for what we need. Instead, he wants us to surrender! He says, “Take up your cross daily!”
When Jesus made this statement, people probably had no idea what he was talking about because he had not yet been crucified. However, the cross was his purpose. The cross would change the world and give people the hope of salvation. Jesus knew what was in store for him, and he intended for his life to be a model for his would-be followers. As his disciples, we must renounce direction of our own lives and follow him with our entire being.
As part of taking up your cross, I believe he has a purpose specifically for you! Your “cross” will be similar to Jesus’ in that it requires the total submission of your life to God’s will, but it may also be unique. He has given us all something to do for him!
I once heard someone say that everyone has two great days in their life:
- The day they were born.
- The day they learn why they were born.
Has Jesus called you to do something specific during this season of Coronavirus? If so, now is the time to do it.
I want to share a quick story from my life about when Jesus asked me to take up my cross.
When I was in college, I was invited to go on a mission trip to an inner city neighborhood to work with kids. When I first found out about the trip, I did not want to go because I did not want to give up my spring break. After a little while, I decided to do it because a bunch of my friends were going and I thought it was something I was supposed to do.
Of course, God does give us stuff that we’re supposed to do, but I never expected the joy I would get from following His will. While I was there, I was blown away by the kids because they would run to this little house and attend our Bible Club every day. I wondered why they were so excited to learn about Jesus. As I got to know them, I soon found out why they loved the club so much… it was because they had some really hard lives. I will never forget one of the girls I met. Every day, she had to feed and dress her little brothers and sisters before she went to school because her Mom was an alcoholic. When I heard that Jesus broke my heart. I wanted to take all the kids home with me. Jesus used that mission trip to call me out—to get my attention and I am so grateful that He did!
I was blessed to get work with those kids. That’s just one story from my entire life. Jesus has never stopped giving me exciting things to do!
So, how about you? Being a Christian means being a disciple. In what ways is Jesus calling you to pick up your cross and follow him?
Let’s live our lives on His terms… not ours. It will be hard at times, but like I discovered, I think you’ll find a lot of joy in the end. Have a great week!
-Joe