Scripture – “Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Whoever is 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.”
Luke 9:21-26 NIV
Observation – Jesus tells his disciples that he will suffer, die and on the third day be raised to life. He goes on to tell them if they want to be his disciple they too must take up their cross daily and follow him. This means denying themselves and replacing the pursuit of their kingdom in exchange for building Jesus’ kingdom. Jesus says that trying to gain this world is the same as forfeiting your soul and if we are ashamed of him in front of people today he will be ashamed of us when he comes back.
Application – What does a sacrificial life look like? A follower of Christ must eliminate anything in their life that doesn’t bring God glory and replace those things with seeking God’s kingdom and his righteousness. This looks different for everyone because we are Christ’s body and have different roles and responsibilities. Being aware of your thoughts, motivations and actions is a good start, ask yourself several times a day, “Am I offering my body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God?” If so, thank God for his strength. If not, repent and ask God for help to make you live and look like Jesus in this life.
Prayer – Lord, our natural tendency is to look out for our own interests. Give us hearts that put you first and others before ourselves. Amen.
What are you doing? Do it better 