Scripture
And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27
Observation
Great crowds were following Jesus, I suppose just as there are today. As Jesus looked upon these people, He began to teach them about taking the next step, becoming a disciple.
When Jesus began to talk about bearing a cross, everyone present was familiar with what Jesus was saying. The cross was a cruel form of punishment used by the Romans. The criminal was forced to "carry his cross" to the place of execution. Everyone knew that this person was saying "goodbye" to everything. There would be no turning or coming back.
Jesus uses this vivid illustration with the intent of showing us that following him requires that same kind of saying "goodbye" to our own will and desires because of our commitment to Him.
Application
Three times in the course of this message in Luke, Jesus uses the phrase, “cannot be my disciple.” In other words, Jesus is laying out some absolute prerequisites for discipleship.
I believe what Jesus is saying about this whole cross thing is simply this…when you get to the point in your experience when that cross is laid upon you...there is absolutely no turning back. You have accepted the reality that to this world you are dead and all you have to look forward to is the next life. I suppose it is only then that I really begin to live with the values and priorities that are pleasing to God.
Until that cross is laid upon me, I will never really be able to let go of everything else.
Prayer
Lord, it is clear that what you are trying to teach me is really quite simple; it is either all or nothing. Lord, help me to love you wholly, completely and unreservedly.
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1 comment:
No person ever crucified themselves. Someone else had to pound at least one of those nails in. Someone else had to raise that crossbeam up over the upright stake.
Lord for years I have tried to crucify myself and it has never been successfull. I beg you to do whatever it takes to crucify this old man of sin. Let him die the death then Father raise me to a new life in you.
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