Take Up The Cross And Follow Jesus
LENT 2022 | DAY 20
Matthew 16 (NIV)
(Esther Wong, Zone 12 Core Team Member, Small Group Ministry)
READ:
Matthew 16 (NKJV), focusing on verses 24-27
OBSERVE:
Matthew 16:24 – Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
When Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me,” the Greek tense of the verb ‘come after’ (elthein) implies a continuous or habitual action. Jesus wasn’t talking about a one-time, once-a-while or casual walk, but a daily, consistent will and intent action, taking delight and pleasure in doing so.
There are three conditions that Jesus stated for His disciples to follow Him – 1. To ‘deny’ (aparneomai) himself means to disregard, disavow (disown), reject. Self-denial. It really means “not putting oneself first” or “own interests first”. 2. To ‘take up his cross’ (bastazō ton stauron) means to suffer unto death. The cross was the worst form of death in those days, reserved only for slaves, criminals and foreigners. 3. To “follow Me” means to be a true disciple of Jesus, as teacher.
APPLY:
Though Matthew was written predominantly to the believing Jews in a call to Israel as a nation to repent – to turn away from spiritual adultery and turn towards their promised Messiah, much was written to instruct Christ’s own disciples (as He taught mostly in parables) and to bring them to an understanding of who the Messiah was, what the Messiah came to do, and how believing on the Messiah and following after Him would transform their lives. In the light of our Church-wide theme on Intentional Discipleship, this is an important application to every church-age believer, especially to those who would choose to be disciplers / followers of Christ. To trust in the person (character) of Jesus in order to take heed of His teachings and follow His Way, and to obey by putting His Words (truth) into action, that is to live out our new, abundant life in Christ.
John 14:6 (NKJV) – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” A true disciple not only believes in Christ for Salvation and the forgiveness of sins but also trusts in the Resurrection power to break the yoke of slavery to sin by denying self – taking up his cross and following after Him. John 8:31-32 (ESV) – So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in My Word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
DO:
Reflecting on v24 in totality gives me a fuller understanding that to “come after” Christ encompasses all three conditions, albeit in good times:
1. To deny myself is not the giving up of things / desires / passion / hopes / dreams. Rather, it is the giving in, submitting or surrendering of myself wholly and completely to Christ Jesus as my Lord and Saviour.
2. To take up my cross is irrespective of the daily burdens I carry or problems I might face; it is to fully identify with every aspect of His rejection, shame, suffering and death; not forgetting that the suffering we are called to endure to the end for His Name’s sake (Matthew 10:22) will one day lead to glory (v27).
3. To follow Him implies an abiding relationship to Jesus as the true Vine, to be guided by the Holy Spirit and to bear good fruit (Gal 6:22).
Conversely, in challenging times, I am encouraged to draw near to God (James 4:8) by applying all three approaches even when I feel embattled or down-trodden from the futility of running or trying to ‘save’ my own life.
PRAY:
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving Your Son to die on the Cross for our sins. Thank You that by faith in Christ, we are clothed in His Righteousness that sanctifies us daily. Thank You for the indwelling presence of Christ in our hearts and minds, through the Holy Spirit, to lead and guide us on the straight and narrow path that leads to life. Help me to lay down my will so that I might embrace Yours, and step out in the redemptive plans and purpose You have for my life, following after Christ. Make it my one desire to seek after You – to deny myself, take up my cross daily, and follow You. May my life be a reflection of Your light and Your glory. May I live my life for Your Name’s sake. May I continually learn to put Christ first before self, relationships, treasures and possessions. In Christ’s Almighty name, Amen.
