Following the leader

In the Bible, in the gospel according to Matthew, Chapter 16 verses 24-28, a follower of Jesus Christ is challenged to live life in such a way that when he is judged by God, he will enter into life, rather than spiritual death.

This is natural enough: to decide if one is worthy to be a disciple. Not that he has done good enough, but that he has started on the journey with God and is seeking to serve him – with his heart, mind, soul, and strength – in whatever circumstances he finds himself in.

 

²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. ²⁶ What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? ²⁷ For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

²⁸ “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.

 

I take this passage very seriously. As I read it, I find it a challenge as Jesus is calling me or anyone who would be his disciple to deny himself and follow him. It’s the denial of self that I focussed on during my musings today. I will never be a missionary or pastor or minister of a church, but I do what I can in the context of my life. I dwelt on the verse – “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves” – at every corner of my day and used it to guide and inspire. I found this completely centring and helpful. The tests and challenges come, though, to spoil the peace. But for me things fell into place.