Luke 9:10-27
"He calls you to aim at three things which together comprise love for others and love for Jesus.
1. No sin
Jesus says, ‘Those who would come after me must ... take up their cross daily and follow me, for those who want to save their lives will lose them, but those who lose their lives for me will save them’ (vv.23–24).
Jesus says, ‘All who are ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels’ (v.26).
Every day the challenge of love requires little acts of self-denial.
2. No self
Effectively Jesus invites his followers to ‘come ... and die’. The cross today is a symbol of hope. However, then it was a symbol of pain, shame, disgrace and ultimately death.
Jesus said that if we live lives of selfish ambition – even if we are the most successful person of all time and ‘gain the whole world’ (v.25) – it will do us no good at all. The way to find life in all its fullness is to abandon our lives to the love of Jesus and of others. Jesus says we must take up our cross daily and follow him (v.23).
Being willing to give up your life is the ultimate act of love. This is the example which Jesus set first. He calls us to follow his example: ‘cleave steadfastly to me, conform wholly to my example in living and, if need be, in dying’ (v.23, AMP).
3. No secrecy
Jesus says, ‘All who are ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels’ (v.26).
If you love Jesus you must not be ashamed of him. Sometimes even taking his name on our lips is a challenge. Nor must we be ashamed of his teaching. If you want Jesus to be proud of you, you must be proud of him. If you love people you will want everyone to know about Jesus."
Amen!
1. Thank You for hard-earned reward! =)
2. Praise God for ears that listen.
3. Alleluia for preparing my heart for this new adventure!
