“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.”
Luke 9:23-24
In The Making of an Ordinary Saint, (2014), Nathan Foster, tells about a bike ride he took. Instead of having an exhilarating experience, he found himself battling against the elements. Horrendous weather made the ride completely miserable. As he strained to pedal on, he eventually encountered another biker, an older man—someone not adequately equipped for such a journey at all—who was enjoying the experience fully. The old fellow surrendered to what the atmosphere offered at the moment, and in doing so found a beautiful freedom to enjoy the ride.
The Bible speaks to us often about surrendering to the Lord (see Isaiah 25:9), about putting our trust in Him rather than ourselves (see Proverbs 3:5), and about denying ourselves (as in today’s Luke passage). These are not the kinds of philosophies our culture goes for. More popular mantras focus on what you do to make your dreams come true, and how you determine your destiny.
When we choose to be yoked together with Jesus rather than with the world, He offers us His peace and rest.
The Bible speaks to us often about surrendering to the Lord (see Isaiah 25:9), about putting our trust in Him rather than ourselves (see Proverbs 3:5), and about denying ourselves (as in today’s Luke passage). These are not the kinds of philosophies our culture goes for. More popular mantras focus on what you do to make your dreams come true, and how you determine your destiny.
When we choose to be yoked together with Jesus rather than with the world, He offers us His peace and rest.
Scripture Focus
Luke 9:23-27
Insight
“Come to me, you who are weary and burdened,and I will give you rest. … My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28, 30)
Bible In A Year
- Isaiah 23-24
- Psalm 82
- Acts 28