September 14 | Luke 9:23-24

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DAILY READING

Luke 9:23-24

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REFLECTION

Take Up Your Cross

By Dave Mann

These verses are some of the most challenging found in all four of the gospels.  There are three different ways we can respond.

1)    Assume that Jesus didn’t really mean what he said.  A political correctness advisor could imagine that Jesus needs someone to pull him aside to “talk some sense” into him to keep his ratings high. 

2)    Hope that there is some sort of secret meaning in these words – so secret that no one would really need to believe the literal meaning of these words.  I could ignore these words until someone deciphers the hidden meaning.

3)    Believe that Jesus means what he said.  If I want to be a sincere follower of Jesus, I need help to begin the process of trying to see how my life can be changed to get aligned with what Jesus said.

Do I want Jesus to take over my heart so that I can embrace what these verses say?  Maybe.  If I am honest though, sometimes I really don’t want these verses to take over my life.  I might be hoping for option 1 or 2.  But if I want to follow Jesus, I need to take these words seriously.  That would take me to option 3.

• Deny myself?  In my present state, I spend my time making sure my life is comfortable.
  

• Be willing to take up my cross? To be crucified?  How can I possibly imagine that?  A guy would get hurt or even die.
  

• Right now, in my life with Christ, I think I need to admit that at times, I might be a hypocrite.  I want to follow Jesus, but I want it to help me feel comfortable.  At this point in time, my life does not align with the teaching of Jesus.  But I want to be Jesus’ disciple.  What do I do?

I need to admit that I am not qualified to be Jesus’ disciple.  Even the twelve disciples didn’t look good.  One betrayed Jesus, another denied him, and all the other disciples abandoned him. 

Lord, if I am honest, I don’t really want these words in my life all the time. My life does not resemble your words.  However, I think I could pray something like this. “I want to want this.”  I want my heart to be changed so that I can become what these verses say.  I need you to transform me so that I want what you want for me.  I need a new heart.  I need what King David wrote in Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”  Only with the help of the Holy Spirit, can I be aligned with Jesus’ words.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, right now, I am self-centered and I use religion to make me look good before others.  Help me want what you want.  Come, Holy Spirit, and transform my heart, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of seven. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.