When [Jesus] had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it." (Mark 8:34-35 NKJV)
"And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it ... So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:27-28,33 NKJV)
My soul follows close behind You.
(Psalms 63:8 NKJV)
Jesus has called fishermen, a tax collector, and every other disciple with the same words: "Follow Me." The imperative voice is not obligatory. Jesus uses no force or threat to compel compliance. He leaves the decision with the hearer, and He moves on with His work.
"Follow Me" and deny your Self—your dreams, your personality, your will. "Follow Me" and forsake all—count nothing your own, everything His, to do with it as He wishes. "Follow Me" and take up your cross—drink of the covenant cup, agonize at Gethsemane, receive affliction, and lay down your life. Daily. Live no longer for Self but for Him who bought you with His blood.
Count the cost. Make no mistake, but know that when Jesus says, "Follow Me," He calls you to walk with Him through the shadow of death, that you too may be resurrected.
The cost is high. The reward is far greater, both now and in eternity.
Lord Jesus, I love You. Some days I let go of Your hand for a bit and stumble. Please don't let me wander before You come after me. Help me to let go of things I once released and picked back up. Your life is worth so much more to me than my own. I don't want to go somewhere if I know that You're not there.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Amen.
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