Daily Devotional for Wednesday 5th June
When the going gets tough
Having commended Peter for getting it right in saying that He is the Son of God, the Messiah, and then telling Peter off for not accepting God’s plan for the Messiah, Jesus goes on a bit of a preacher rant in verses 34-38. He wants His disciples to see the difference between the spiritual and the natural. He needs them to understand the choices they will have to make and what’s at stake. It’s important, for them and for us.
Jesus has begun to share with His disciples how tough the road ahead is going to be. Not only will He be going to the cross to die, but His disciples will face persecution and difficulties, as well, for identifying with Him. He tells them up front – this is going to get tough – but He then lays out the spiritual principles that show us how to get going.
We get to choose – do we want the world and all it can materially grant us (and that’s all we will be living for) or do we want spiritual life with God the Father and Jesus which will last, starting now, for eternity? Another way to phrase this is, who are we living for?
Jesus says, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul? What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Jesus has also told His disciples in Matthew 6:25-34 that God the Father will supply all their needs from His riches, so it is not a matter of doing without necessities.
If we seek the kingdom of God and its righteousness, all the things we need will be added to us (Matthew 6:33). God knows what we need and He will look after His people.
It’s a matter of allegiance. Who do we belong to, who are we living for, what do we have in our sights as our goal?
Jesus says, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me”.
When we choose Jesus and follow Him, we do so unashamedly and with great joy! We have good news to share! This is life-changing, eternal life-shaping, transformational truth!
Jesus says if we care more about what other people or the world thinks of us than Him, if we are ashamed to tell the world that we follow Jesus, then He will be ashamed of us before the Father. Ouch!
There are consequences to our choices.
Time to reflect…
Here are the lyrics to a hymn to ponder. You can listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5xw8_r_JrU
Take up your cross, follow Jesus
Take up your cross every day
Don't be ashamed to say that you know Him
Count the cost, take up your cross, follow Him
What are you doing for the King?
Have you really given everything
To the One who gave His all for you?
Now, don't you be satisfied just to know
That the Lord has saved your soul
Have you forgotten what you need to do, to do?
Take up your cross, follow Jesus
Take up your cross every day
Don't be ashamed to say that you know Him
Count the cost, take up your cross, follow Him
Don't be ashamed to say that you know Him
Count the cost, take up your cross, follow Him
Well, I know sometimes the road is long
And I know sometimes you feel like you can't go on
But you can make it, you just
Take up your cross, follow Jesus
Take up your cross every day
Don't be ashamed to say that you know Him
Count the cost, take up your cross, follow Him
Pause to pray…
Dear Father God, help us to not count the cost, take up our cross and follow Jesus! Help us to trust You to provide all we need, and to have open, generous hands with others. Help us when the going gets tough, to take it all to You, come talk with You about it and get help! May we take our stand for You, God, and not be ashamed of the beautiful name of Jesus. In His name, Amen.
