And He (Jesus) was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”
Luke 9:23
Today: Read Luke 9
In one of the former churches in which I served, we began the New Year with a campaign based on Jesus’ words found in today’s passage. One of our members came up with a slogan for this spiritual focus: “Are you lukewarm or are you Luke 9:23?” The “lukewarm” reference comes from Jesus’ evaluation of the church at Laodecia (Revelation 3:16) and was being contrasted with obedience to Jesus’ instructions in Luke 9:23. Jesus’ admonition is threefold. It involves denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following Him. Consider the following passages as we examine each of these admonitions.
- Denying Ourselves By Putting Others First
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4
Deny ourselves means that we are prepared to put others first and to consider them as more important than ourselves. This requires humility and selflessness. When our primary focus is on others, we have a greater chance to reach the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Believers should always put the needs of others above their own.
- Denying Ourselves By Treating Others Properly
In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 7:12
Denying ourselves means that we treat others the way we would like for them to treat us. As I watch the recent events happening in our country and in the world, I can’t help but ask the question, “How much more productive would people be if they would just adhere to this one passage from scripture?” The world may not place a priority on these things, but believers should always be ready to treat others with kindness and respect.
- Denying Ourselves By Loving Our Enemies
But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Luke 6:27-28
Denying ourselves means that we love our enemies. One of the obvious realities that surfaces when we examine the words of Christ is that they run completely counter to the “wisdom” of the world. We are quite incapable of denying ourselves in this manner apart from the presence, power, and influence of the Spirit of God. But “loving our enemies” means doing good to those who hate us, finding ways to bless those who curse us, and praying for those who mistreat us. Believers should always be prepared to love their enemies.
- Taking Up Our Cross By Enduring Hatred
If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.
John 15:18-19
Taking up our cross means that we are willing to endure hatred from the world. Jesus was God in human flesh and He came to reveal Himself to the world and to take our place on the cross, providing salvation for all who would believe. Instead of being greeted with open arms by the very ones that He created, He was hated, ridiculed, and reviled. Believers should be prepared to experience this same kind of treatment from those who do not know Christ.
- Taking Up Our Cross By Enduring Persecution
Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:11-12
Taking up our cross means being willing to endure persecution. It is not enough for some to simply observe a Christian life. For some, there is the need for a vile, unrestrained, and hateful response. But Jesus reminds us that when we endure persecution for the name of Christ, we are truly blessed. This is a sign of authenticity that we certainly belong to Jesus and that the kingdom of God is ours. Believers should always remember that enduring persecution means that they are truly blessed.
- Taking Up Our Cross By Enduring Insults
For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you…
1 Peter 4:3-4
Taking up our cross means that some will not understand our redeemed life. For Christians, the cross of Jesus is the power of God for salvation, while unbelievers view it as utter foolishness (Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 1:18). A changed life means that we don’t engage in the same kinds of activities that we did prior to our salvation. You may lose friends, your family may turn their backs on you, and some may insult you for your new life in Christ. But believers should always be ready to endure such misunderstandings and insults.
- Following Jesus By Abiding In Him
I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
John 15:5
Following Jesus requires abiding in Him. Jesus reminds us that as we abide in Him, we will bear fruit but apart from Him, we can do nothing (of eternal value). Remembering that Christ is the vine and that we are the branches keeps our focus on the power of the Spirit of God in our lives and not on our own efforts. Believers should continue to abide in Christ by spending quality time with Him.
- Following Jesus By Making Disciples
And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Matthew 4:19
Following Jesus means sharing the gospel and making disciples. Every Christian should be living in such a way as to attract others to the gospel. It is the responsibility of every believer to multiply the growth of the church by leading others to Christ. Jesus said that as we follow Him, He will make us fishers of men. It is the condition of the souls of mankind that should be our priority. Believers should be ready to share the good news of salvation with anyone who will listen.
- Following Jesus By Trusting Him
For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously…
1 Peter 2:21-23
Following Jesus means trusting in Him. When Jesus endured the persecution that came His way, He did not use His omnipotence to repay the evil being done with evil. He kept His focus on the will of the Father and completed His mission. He trusted the One who will repay and judge righteously. Believers should be ready to follow the example of Christ by focusing on their mission and trusting God with the big picture.
What about your life? Are you lukewarm or are you Luke 9:23?
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