Jesus followers - Jesus people (Part 2)

Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | June 3, 2023 | Matthew 16:24-28

KEY VERSE: “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." Matthew 16:25 (NIV)

MESSAGE

In our devotion yesterday, we looked at what Jesus said was the first thing to do if anyone desires to be his follower- “denying yourself.” The second condition Jesus mentioned for becoming a follower, is “Taking up your cross.”

Many have misunderstood the cross as signifying the burdens we have to carry to follow Jesus. However, the cross in Jesus’ day was a symbol of death and the disgrace that goes with dying on the cross. Criminals were made to carry their crosses to the site of the execution by crucifixion. They died on the cross they carried. Bearing a cross meant one was a dead man walking. Jesus’ command, therefore, “to take up your cross to follow him” was to say that you must sacrifice yourself on the altar of the cross. One must put to death any and every desire for the world and its pleasures and be prepared to live with the ridicule and disgrace of following Him. Jesus was commanding those that desire to follow him to give away their lives for His sake. The verses that followed made this clearer: “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” It is clear from the verses that those who follow Jesus in self-denial and self-sacrifice to the very end will receive the reward that he brings at the end of the age. We must desire to work for Jesus whiles we are in this temporal tent of clay, since what we do in this body, determines what rewards we will receive.

FEET AND HANDS OF THE MESSAGE Being a disciple of Jesus requires following Him and it is worth sacrificing our lives to receive that reward which He promises at the end of the age. We receive all the blessings of following Him with self-denial and Self-sacrifice.

PRAYER Dear Heavenly Father, I desire to follow you all the days of my life. Help me by your Holy Spirit to Deny myself, take up my cross, and follow you. For your dear name’s sake. Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!