Rev. Richard Smith
Matthew 16:24 –Words of Jesus: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’
In the New Testament the word “disciple” speaks to one who learns from a teacher; who follows that teacher; who seeks to be like that teacher. Thus, Jesus was inviting those earliest followers and Jesus is inviting us to learn from him; to follow him; to seek to be like him. He calls us to be his faithful disciples.
Let me share here four foundational truths of discipleship.
Jesus Does Not Apologize For High Expectations
Consider for a moment these things which Jesus asks of those who would be his followers…
That we love our enemies;
That we pray for those who persecute us;
That we sacrifice for the poor in order to be blessed in the Kingdom of God;
That we forgive those who wrong us;
That we give ourselves fully to loving God and loving neighbor;
That we avoid letting money be first in our lives because it hampers us spiritually;
That we seek to live at peace with everyone, even the most difficult.
Does Jesus really expect this of his followers? Yes, he does.
In the text from the Gospel of Matthew 16 this morning we find Jesus saying: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me (Matthew 16:24).
Jesus holds this lifestyle before us and expects us as best we can, with God’s help, to seek to be like him.
It’s About Progress, Not Perfection
Now, just as Jesus makes clear that the expectations are high, he also teaches and preaches the grace of our loving God. Thankfully, you and I stand under the umbrella of God’s grace. Thankfully God is a loving, forgiving, gracious God. In His graciousness He does not expect perfection of us.
Now, we fool ourselves if we believe God’s grace frees us from the expectation of growing and changing, becoming more Jesus-like in our lives. God doesn’t expect perfection but He does expect progress. You and I should be more Jesus-like today than we were six months ago; and we should be more Jesus-like six months from now than we are today.
Faithful followers will indeed stumble and fall in the pursuit of being like Jesus. The key, then, is to know that with God’s help we’re at least growing and developing.
There Is Joy In Being Obedient to Jesus
Jesus believed, and I believe, that self-giving people are happy people. Have you ever met an unhappy self-giving person? I haven’t! There is an inherent joy, a fundamental happiness of the spirit with those who seek to serve and help others.
In John 15:11, we find Jesus saying, I have shared these truths with you so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. Got it?
Straight from Jesus…being a humble servant of his teachings, his truths brings the kind of joy he himself knew. I’ll take that joy anytime!
If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete
We Each Can Commit To Specific Areas Of Growth
I know myself and you know yourself. Unless we are delusional, we can, at least in private, name the ways our daily living does not live up to the discipleship call of Jesus.
Perhaps it’s a tendency to judge certain people.
Perhaps it’s a penchant for always putting our desires first.
Perhaps it’s a hesitation to risk enough for God’s work.
Perhaps it’s the role money plays in our life.
Perhaps it’s an unwillingness to listen to those with whom we disagree.
Etc.
Progressing followers face up to our shortcomings and prayerfully seek God’s help to address them.
| C.S. Lewis ‘If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity’ |
