What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself? Luke 9:25 NABRE
Jesus will receive power, glory and more and He will share power, glory and more with us who embrace Him and His way of life. First Jesus says He must suffer and die and if we want to follow Him we too must pick up our cross daily. Jesus desires His followers deny selfish ambitions and take up a cross of serving others as He has done. Jesus’ listeners would have been familiar with the image because of the Roman practice of crucifixion, but even so, grasping the full meaning before Jesus went to the cross was highly unlikely. Then Jesus is crucified and we remember His words. However, such a task of martyrdom is not what Jesus is asking from us; we are to pick up our cross each day, caring for others, helping those in need and always putting our own selfish desires out with the trash. Jesus emphasizes the point by saying what good is it to have what we want in the world but we don’t have Jesus. The thought here is life does not consist of possessions, we take memories and moments of accomplishing something for another through our life and beyond. We can have all the world wants to offer but we won’t’ know truth, love and full joy. Living for others creates the Christian community. Coming together to pray for others, help them in need, providing what we have for them, all brings Jesus into our life and we discover our true selves.
Getting to know people can be difficult, we hear their problems and can’t avoid being pulled into their difficulties. But truly this is the call of the Christian, the golden rule said differently; do for others what you might need them to do for you.
Do you do more each day for yourself or others? What do you really think this life wants for you?
Getting to know people can be difficult, we hear their problems and can't avoid being pulled into their difficulties. But truly this is the call of the Christian, the golden rule said differently; do for others what you might need them to do for you. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #cross #others #Luke #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #Matthew #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways