Matthew 16:24-26
Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus
“24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”
I am reading a 40-day devotional of stories by persecuted Christians in very hostile environments and the thing that strikes me from all of the stories and oh boy they are crazy, is the extreme joy and peace and assurance of hope these brothers and sisters have in the Lord. Now, look, I am not the one to do the whole see that so shame on you type stuff but I think we need to take a long hard look at our Faith in America because if I’m honest we are the most anxious, depressed and joyless disciples of Jesus with way more and freedoms the persecuted saints can’t even imagine. We decide if we gather with the saints or read our bibles and for some pray. It’s been challenging me even more and giving me a perspective on my sufferings. The call to follow Jesus is an “all type of call”. I don’t think we get to really feel that a lot so we need to probably keep our ears to what our brothers and sisters are sharing with us as they die for their belief in Jesus. Hearing the stories of them being kicked out of their own away from their families, being beaten daily, imprisoned, and even worse. It’s sobering for sure.
I don’t know why I wrote this today. I hope it stirs you. If it doesn’t oh well, this is what’s in my brain today. I have so much more to say but don’t even know where to begin. God is definitely doing something in me. I truly love you each with the love of Jesus. I am praying for us as we endure wicked and perverse times. If you’re reading this and don’t know Jesus, in light of his mercies and the price he paid he’s worth giving your life to. It’s hard a lot of days but so worth it every day. I can tell you many stories from my own life but his faithfulness overshadows every dark day.
Until next time
Demetrius