Matthew 16
Imagine if a caterpillar decided that he would rather remain a caterpillar. He was quite content to crawl up plants and munch on all the leaves he wanted day and night. Why, he could crawl up the tallest trees and look over the landscape, but he'd always be tied to the ground. What if he decided that flying was simply overrated and not worth going through all he would have to go through to become a butterfly?
If we were able to communicate to caterpillars, what would you say to him to convince him his new life would be worth it all?
Many Christians are like this caterpillar. They've come to Christ, attend church regularly, pray and read their Bibles occasionally, and are quite content with their lives just the way they are right now. They believe there's no need to mess with a good life.
But what if they are missing out on the abundant life Jesus came to offer all of us? (John 10:10) What if He intended them to soar, not sour?
It's interesting that Jesus makes this declaration just after He predicts His death;
...“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. (Mt. 16:24-27)
There's sooooo much I'd like to say on this subject for it's life-changing!
Let me begin by saying, Jesus explains here that a true disciple not only believes in
Him for his salvation and the forgiveness of sins but also trusts Him to break the
power of sin in his life by denying themselves, taking up their cross and
following after Him. Therefore, you're NOT a "sinner saved by grace". That would be like saying a butterfly is merely a worm with wings. No, you are a new creation, just like the butterfly!
Paul knew it! "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." (Galatians 2:20)
And in Ephesians 3:20, "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us," (emphasis mine)
To deny yourself is, not giving up of things, but surrendering yourself wholly and completely to our Lord Jesus. To deny yourself
and take up your cross has nothing to do with the daily burdens you carry, or
problems you may have to face - it is to live for Christ and allow Him to live THROUGH YOU.
It's a matter of abiding in Him, or stepping out of our comfort zones with all our wants, wishes and desires and allowing Him to take over. Trust me, what HE can do in and through you cannot even begin to compare to anything you could do on your own!
Not even close!
It's truly the difference between crawling and soaring!
All of this does come at a cost, however. We will need to deny/surrender ourselves to fully abide in Him each day, take up His identify
with every aspect of His rejection, shame, suffering, death and mission; always mindful that the suffering we may endure for our Savior will one day lead to glory!
Beloved, I promise you, one day it will be worth it all, if you will only surrender and let Him live through you!
See you in glory,
sue
