Saturday,
April 11, 2026
Matt 16:24-26
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come
after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and
whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole
world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his
soul?
All three of
the synoptic gospels records Jesus saying: “If any man will come after (or
follow) me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross.” Luke adds the
word “daily.” Following Jesus is not
for wimps but risk takers.
1. The Cross
is PERSONAL!
It is YOUR cross. The cross of discipleship and service is not some
naturally occurring inconvenience. It is more than a rainy day that spoils a
picnic. My cross is so personal that nobody else can carry it.
2. The Cross
is REDEMPTIVE!
I believe that ministry does
not happen unless the minister suffers some kind of loss so that the
recipient can enjoy some kind of gain. Jesus’ cross redeemed the sinner,
but Jesus was without sin. The one hanging on the cross suffered loss so
that we might gain.
2 Cor 8:9
9 For ye know the grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor,
that ye through his poverty might be rich.
3. The Cross
is an INVESTMENT!
Mark 8:35-36
35 For whosoever will save his
life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the
gospel's, the same shall save it.
36 For what shall it profit a
man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Those who are overly
protective of this earthly life will ultimately lose it anyway. Those who
recklessly invest their earthly life to do ministry will not lack
life. Those who hoard earthly stuff will ultimately lose it but those who lay
up treasure in heaven will never lose their investment.
Matt 6:19-21
19 Lay not up for yourselves
treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break
through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where
thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also.
Dear Lord, I don’t have much but it all belongs to you. Use
both me and my stuff to make gains for your kingdom. AMEN
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