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, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”
Mark 8:34
To be a disciple of Jesus requires you to make a threefold decision. First of all, you need to deny yourself. This means to humble yourself and forsake all personal, selfish ambitions. This doesn’t mean you need to take a vow of poverty or celibacy. But it does mean that you must be willing to put God’s will above your own.
In desiring to do His Father’s purpose, Jesus emptied Himself of His glory and splendor, humbling Himself fully in obedience to God. Self denial is often a major obstacle to the talented, educated and wealthy. By their own abilities and connections, they can seemingly accomplish so much in life. Can you trust God enough to surrender all your talents and heart’s desires completely to Him in exchange for His plan and purpose for your life? Can you give Jesus all of you in exchange for all of Him?
Secondly, to be a disciple, you must be willing to take up your cross. The cross speaks of the place of sacrifice. The first time the word “love” is mentioned in the Bible, we see Abraham willingly placing his son Isaac on the altar of sacrifice (Gen. 22). Love always requires sacrifice.
God loves you so much that He gave His only Son as a sacrifice for your sins. Do you love Him enough to do the same? To willingly sacrifice your time, talents, money and life for His cause?
Thirdly, to be a disciple of Jesus requires you to follow Him unreservedly. In the endtimes, God is looking for those “who follow the Lamb wherever He goes” (Rev. 14:4). Many people would happily follow the Good Shepherd to “lie down in green pastures, beside the still waters.” But few are willing to follow Him “through the valley of the shadow of death”
(Ps. 23:1-4). Following Jesus requires determination, discipline, dedication and devotion. With just 11 disciples, Christ changed the whole world. He wants to do the same with you today. Deny yourself. Take up your cross. Follow Him. Be a true disciple of Jesus.
Mark 8:34
To be a disciple of Jesus requires you to make a threefold decision. First of all, you need to deny yourself. This means to humble yourself and forsake all personal, selfish ambitions. This doesn’t mean you need to take a vow of poverty or celibacy. But it does mean that you must be willing to put God’s will above your own.
In desiring to do His Father’s purpose, Jesus emptied Himself of His glory and splendor, humbling Himself fully in obedience to God. Self denial is often a major obstacle to the talented, educated and wealthy. By their own abilities and connections, they can seemingly accomplish so much in life. Can you trust God enough to surrender all your talents and heart’s desires completely to Him in exchange for His plan and purpose for your life? Can you give Jesus all of you in exchange for all of Him?
Secondly, to be a disciple, you must be willing to take up your cross. The cross speaks of the place of sacrifice. The first time the word “love” is mentioned in the Bible, we see Abraham willingly placing his son Isaac on the altar of sacrifice (Gen. 22). Love always requires sacrifice.
God loves you so much that He gave His only Son as a sacrifice for your sins. Do you love Him enough to do the same? To willingly sacrifice your time, talents, money and life for His cause?
Thirdly, to be a disciple of Jesus requires you to follow Him unreservedly. In the endtimes, God is looking for those “who follow the Lamb wherever He goes” (Rev. 14:4). Many people would happily follow the Good Shepherd to “lie down in green pastures, beside the still waters.” But few are willing to follow Him “through the valley of the shadow of death”
(Ps. 23:1-4). Following Jesus requires determination, discipline, dedication and devotion. With just 11 disciples, Christ changed the whole world. He wants to do the same with you today. Deny yourself. Take up your cross. Follow Him. Be a true disciple of Jesus.
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