Learning To Be Like Him!

When Jesus addressed the idea of discipleship -- learning to be like Him ( Matthew 10:25) -- He stated. . .
"(23) And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and TAKE UP HIS CROSS daily and follow me." ( Luke 9:23 ESV)

Later on He again emphatically declared. . .
"(27) Whoever does not BEAR HIS OWN CROSS and come after me cannot be my disciple." ( Luke 14:27 ESV)

Becoming Jesus' disciples means we surrender to learn from Him. In this way we begin to become more and more like Him. As the supreme example for our life, Jesus has not asked us to do anything He was not willing to do. In fact, Jesus exemplified this very thing!

When Pilate released Jesus to the crowd, we read. . .
"(16) So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, (17) and he went out, BEARING HIS OWN CROSS, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha." ( John 19:16-17 ESV)

Did you notice the similar wording in the last two passages? Jesus "BEARING HIS OWN CROSS" was a sign of His willingness to set His own will aside and allow the Father's Will to be done! (Remember His prayer in the garden, Luke 22:42) It is the same for us. That is why Jesus began by stating we need to deny ourselves. Unless we do that, we will not be ready to "BEAR OUR OWN CROSS" and follow Him and the Will of the Father. The mark of discipleship is not merely to bear a burden or to suffer in some way, but to press on through whatever and wherever following the Will of the Father may lead. Such self-denial makes it possible to do this whether we are facing daily living or death.

May we reflect the kind of attitude expressed by Paul where he stated. . .
"(20) as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as ALWAYS CHRIST WILL BE HONORED IN MY BODY, WHETHER BY LIFE OR BY DEATH. (21) For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." ( Philippians 1:20-21 ESV)

Have a great day MAKING HIS WILL OURS!
Carl

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