“And He said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him [or her] deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’” (Luke 9:23)
Have you ever heard anyone in the Church give an altar call or invitation to church membership based on Luke 9:23? “If you want to be forgiven of your sins and have everlasting life, put your trust in Jesus, who died on a cross for you, by denying yourself, taking up your cross daily, and following Him.” “If you want to become a member of 1st Denominational Church, we would love to have you. Simply deny yourself like we have, take up your cross daily like we do, and join us in following Jesus.”
The answer to both questions is, of course, “No.” In fact, many Christians today have never heard a sermon on Luke 9:23 because your pastors know it asks more from you than you seem willing to give. The Bible sets forth the mission of the Church, not a congregational visioning committee, and that mission is to make disciples. (Matthew 28:19-20) We want altar calls and membership drives to be easy. Becoming a disciple of Jesus does not sound easy.
Jesus said a disciple must be taught to obey all that He has commanded. (Matthew 28:20) This is much more than Bible study. A disciple of Jesus must both have and keep His commandments because this is what those who truly love and follow Jesus do. (John 14:21) Jesus also said a disciple is not above his or her Master but must be fully trained to become like their Master. (Luke 6:40) Our mindset should be like Jesus, who, giving no regard to His status as the Son of God, obediently humbled Himself as a servant even to the point of death on a cross. (Philippians 2:5-9)
To be this Master’s disciple, we must bear our own cross and come after Him. (Luke 14:27) If we do not take up our cross and follow Jesus, we are not worthy of Him. (Matthew 10:38) And Luke 9:23 teaches we will not be able to do this until we deny ourselves. So, how do we take up our own cross? We lovingly embrace and fulfill the daily service to God and others the Lord assigns to us. These good works our Eternal Father prepared for us as new creations in Christ are part of the blessed hope and future He has for us, and while our service will at times be sacrificial, the only part of us that will have to die is our selfishness. (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 12:1)
How do we follow Jesus? The Greek word Luke uses for “follow” is akoloutheo, which means either “follow” or “accompany”. “Accompany” is really the better translation because while we seek to follow the teachings of Jesus set forth in scripture, we have far more than just a book. Jesus said He would be with us always. (Matthew 28:20) If we let Him, He will abide in us through the Holy Spirit and lead us through life from within. (John 15:4-7; Romans 8:14) When we are yoked to Him in this way, our burden is easy and light because He who is in us is greater than anything we face in this world. (Matthew 11:28-30; 1 John 4:4)
Finally, how do we deny ourselves? The Greek word Luke uses for “deny” is arneomai, which means to “deny”, “disregard”, or “refuse to follow”. The first essential step in becoming a disciple of Jesus is my decision to stop leading my own life and let Him lead. Let my Lord decide what is best for me, not me or my peers or my political party. Let my Lord, and not me, set both the daily and long-term agendas for my life.
Can we be brutally honest? 21st century Christianity in America has too often related to the world more like “lovers of self” than lovers of God – (1) getting our “ticket to heaven”; (2) finding the worship music and fellowship we enjoy and the tech-driven programs our kids like; (3) hearing an encouraging message about what God has done and can do for us; and (4) turning a judgmental eye on those who don’t do what we are doing. (2 Timothy 3:1-4, 4:3-4) As a result, the shrinking Church in America has, with some glorious congregational and individual exceptions, demonstrated no real power to transform lives or communities. (2 Timothy 3:5)
Jesus wants disciples. America needs disciples. And “Me first” is not what disciples say. (Philippians 2:3-4) It is time to deny ourselves. How? Simply learn enough about the Lord and about yourself to realize you can trust Him to plan and lead your life much more than you can trust you. (Proverbs 3:5-8)
God bless you, and God bless our community.