Matthew 10:38: he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Matthew 16:24: Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mark 8:34: And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Luke 9:23: And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Luke 14:27: And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
I cannot speak for you, but I am already getting excited about Passion Week (aka Holy Week), Good Friday (the day Jesus was crucified), Sunrise Service and Resurrection Sunday (aka Easter). For me this is one of the highlights of the year!
As I read and reread the accounts of Christ’s ministry and the great lengths He went through to secure our salvation, I am grateful, humbled and thrilled to know how much He loved me and I am committed to seeking the Lord to find out what I can do for Jesus. There is no doubt God loves us because He did something about our sinful condition. The question I pose to us is what are we doing to prove that we love Him?
I can almost read some of your thoughts: “I don’t have to prove anything to anyone.” and to some degree you are correct. But I caution you to consider the words of Jesus: “…if you love me, then you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). You may note that I cited five separate passages that quote Jesus saying if anyone is to follow Him, they must take up their cross and follow Him. In other words, to follow Jesus requires something of us other than saying, “…God knows my heart.”
Take a moment and ask yourself, what am I contributing to the work of God? Not how often you attend church. Not how much money you give to the church. Not how many boards you serve on. But really consider and ask, what are you adding? Consider that Jesus denied Himself the comfort and splendor of heaven to redeem us from sin. Isn’t it time for us to demonstrate our appreciation by doing something worthwhile for Him?
Please don’t misinterpret what I’m saying. Attending church, giving money, serving on boards and departments are all important. However, for some of us, we can do more. Some are totally comfortable sitting on the seat and observing others work endlessly. Some of us have decided that we’re doing a specific amount and no more. I am eternally grateful that Jesus went the extra mile and gave the extra effort for me. I believe I owe Him the same.
I am challenging you today. Your family needs you. Your pastor and church need you. Your community, coworker and country all need you. The love Jesus displayed for us should compel us to do something for Him and for one another. My friends, don’t let another Resurrection Sunday/Easter go by and you find yourself making excuses that you’re not quite ready. Don’t let another year go by and you find yourself being too busy. Don’t waste another opportunity on the lame old saying, “I am not what I should be, but I am not what I used to be.”
Jesus has summoned us to work. Jesus is calling us to commitment. Let’s move from a place of complacency and take up our cross (and responsibility) and follow Him!
Have a tremendously awesome Resurrection Sunday! If you’re looking for an anointed place to worship – we’d love to see you at Holiness Tabernacle. If you’re out of the area, check out our livestream!
Get to work and I bless you in the name of the Lord!!