Nougat 28

What are some assumptions that you had about becoming God’s emissary? Did they match your reality? Sometimes, even if we have read the Bible for ourselves, we still have our own ideas of how God should operate. The business of blessings and prosperity is a good example. In today’s Holy Nougat, Jesus puts it in perspective.

“Jesus said to everyone, “All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭23‬ ‭CEB‬‬

No Everyday

I kid you not. Sometimes when things don’t work out as I in my human self planned, I’m inclined to pout and ask God why. For sure, if we have a genuine and honest relationship with Jesus, we can ask our heavy questions. I am not even going to try guarantee that the response will be what we wish to hear, because Jesus’ answers will comfort, challenge, or change us.

But even then, it is probably hard to hear about the cost of discipleship. Much harder even, when we realize that Luke places Jesus and the disciples at a high point in Jesus’ ministry. Having gone away from the crowds temporarily, Jesus had asked the disciples about their beliefs after engaging with Jesus for a while. Peter, ever first from the starting blocks got the correct response, by recognizing Jesus’ divinity. (If asked for our honest thoughts about Jesus’ identity today, how would we respond?)

It is after hearing that response that Jesus returned to the crowd. For me, this is significant. There’s some connection between recognizing Jesus’ divinity and the crosses we bear. Firstly, we have to come to grips with Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection Because of His divine nature. His death was less about Jesus’ humanness, although it wasn’t possible as God. Because our God, transcendent Triune Creator, cannot die. Not even to save us. But as Emmanuel, God with us, Jesus was able to die physically and as God, raise Himself up after three days.

But what Jesus promised the multitude next, may go against the grain of our expectations. What! We must Deny Our Own Desires and Inclinations Daily to be Jesus’ disciples.

Yes indeedy. It’s part of the package.

And, Yes, it’s a call to die to our human nature to raise our spiritual lives in Christ. Every single day, we must say No.

No to the temptations that would cause us to shift our focus from Jesus.

No to things we once took for granted, but which do not align with God’s will.

No to the allure of this world!

No to following others instead of Christ.

Denying ourselves.

But with denial there is acceptance. For we’re reminded, ‘if we die with Him’ by taking our cross daily, ‘then we also will live with Him.’ Jesus matches our denial of self and the world by accepting us, and aligning our spirits with God’s Spirit. That’s why it is important that we know His True identity. That’s why we take our cross daily. That’s why we say No, to the temptation, to the former comforts and to our natural inclination.

For, when we deny ourselves we accept Jesus Christ and ALL that He represents – the suffering and the glory.

Okay siblings, our cross awaits!

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May all we seek be found in Christ