Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Romans 5:1-11; Mark 8:27-38
It's
interesting how words can lose their impact and how we try to recapture it with
new words to use in their place. For example, the word 'hero' used to be
reserved for people who demonstrated extraordinary valor and service. Now it is
used for all sorts of people, including those who do difficult, but ordinary,
work. At one time the word 'Christian' had a strong meaning that made a
statement about a person's convictions, commitment, and passion. Over time the
word became dulled by many people without conviction, commitment, or passion
using it for themselves. For a while the word 'disciple' was used to
distinguish those who were truly following Jesus from those who were Christian
in name only. But this word also lost its significance. Recently the term
'Christ-follower' has become a way for people to identify themselves as
faithful believers. It has an impressive sound to it, but it's destined to go
the way of the words that have come before it.
The
problem with finding the definitive term for people who respond to Jesus' call
to "go after Him" is that there are no adequate words to describe
them. Such a response is too comprehensive, too radical, and too
action-oriented to be captured in a word or two. Not surprisingly, Jesus didn't
settle on a single term to describe what it means to faithfully respond to Him,
but described it in the actions of continuously denying oneself, taking up
one's cross constantly, and relentlessly going after Him.
"Going
after Jesus" describes the essence of the Christian life. But what does
this mean to us who would be His followers? It's clear from Jesus' call that
the first step in going after Him is to deny ourselves, that is, to set aside
our way of thinking about things, our desires, our priorities, and our purposes
in order to embrace God's purpose, priorities, and will for us. When we have
denied ourselves in this way (and continue to do so), we are ready to
"take up our crosses," that is, to suffer whatever comes our way for
being faithful to Jesus, even if it means dying for Him. In one way or another,
it always means that. We must die in order to go after Jesus. But the death to
which He calls us frees us from the bondage of sin and releases us to live a
new life. In that new life we follow the path that Jesus has walked ahead of
us. It's the path of immeasurable peace, joy, hope, and purpose — all that He
desires for those whom He has called to go after Him.
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