Daily Devotional For Saturday, October 25, 2005

Good morning Southside. We are making our way through Matthew’s Gospel. Today, we are going to pick-up where we left off yesterday. Look at Matthew 10:38-42:

“If you refuse to take up your cross and follow Me, you are not worthy of being Mine. (39) If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for Me, you will find it. (40) Anyone who receives you receives Me, and anyone who receives Me receives the Father who sent Me. (41) If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. (42) And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of My followers, you will surely be rewarded” (NLT).

When we read verse 38, these words not only applied to the disciples, they also apply to us today. Jesus loved to use shock to get His listeners attention. He was a master of using word pictures. When Jesus used the words “take up your cross,” everyone knew what He meant. Rome’s #1 way to execute was through crucifixion. This picture was not a picture of life, but of a horrible and painful drawn-out way to die. Rome forced a criminal to carry his own crossbar to his or her crucifixion. Today, that would be like us requiring a condemned criminal to carry a noose to the hanging post or an electric chair to their execution or the needle to their own execution. 

Jesus knew His followers would be ostracized, persecuted, mocked, and even martyred for their faith in Him. Jesus did not ask His disciples to do something that He would not do. Jesus would carry His own crossbar to His crucifixion. The Christian life is a moment-by-moment decision to follow Christ. Every moment we are hit with distractions, temptations, desires and loves that can draw us away from Christ. Following our Lord means we are willing to take the same road of sacrifice and service He did. 

When we come to verse 39, we are giving a positive and a negative. If we cling to this life, we may close out blessings in this life and the one to come. As you read verse 39, you can see the paradox. Attempting to save our life may cost us our life. The Greek New Testament word translated as “life” is [ψυχή; puche]. This is where we get our English word “psyche.” This word means “soul.” In Greek, “soul” refers to the total person: the personality, dreams, hopes and goals. To attempt to save one’s life will cost one this. Such a person will lose that abundant life as well as the fullness and significance of life in this life. The person who loses their life in Christ will save it here and in the next life to come. 

To the person who loses their life, this means they refuse to renounce their faith in Christ. They do not waver or walk away from their commitment to Christ, then they receive rewards in this life as well as the next one. Such a person is not enslaved from the fear of death nor death’s consequences. This was a major theme in the life of Jesus’ ministry and teaching:

• Matthew 10:39, “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for Me, you will find it” (NLT).
• Matthew 16:25, “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it” (NLT).
• Mark 8:35, “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it” (NLT).
• Luke 9:24, “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it” (NLT).
• Luke 17:33, “If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it” (NLT).
• John 12:25, “Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity” (NLT).

As we see in this passage, Christ demands loyalty not just over our family relationships, but over everything. It would probably be easier to fight and die in a war than to do this. The more we love this life with all its power, prestige, popularity, possessions, personalities and politics, the less fulfilling, meaningful and significant our lives feel. This means the path to liberty, significance is to let go of our grip on this world and what it offers us and follow the path of our Lord. We have to be willing to endure stress, persecution, pain, detriment to our careers and discomfort to follow the Lord. 

Most people have what I call “life goals” or “life ambitions.” We love a challenge. Our culture says these are good and great, but Christ says the opposite. Without Christ, ambition without Christ is useless and challenge without Christ is non-directional. If you want to find your life, put Jesus Christ first in everything with no exceptions even if it means going against your family and friends. 

In verses 40-42, Jesus uses the word “welcomes.” This is the Greek New Testament word [δέχομαι, dechomai]. This word refers both to hospitality (receiving the messenger) as well as conversion (receiving the message). As Jesus’ disciples, we carry all the authority we need from Him. When people receive us and our message, they are receiving the Lord and His message. They are not only welcoming God the Son, they are welcoming God the Father. 

Since water was scarce, to give a cold cup of water was an act of courtesy and hospitality. Jesus’ disciples were the “little ones.” To give a cold cup of water was not out of the ordinary thing to do, thus it deserved no reward. Those who receive the Gospel will be rewarded. Kindness to a follower of Jesus is kindness to Him.

Assignment: When it comes to power, prestige, popularity, possessions, personalities and politics, which of these take much of your time, loyalty and commitment from the Lord? Which of these do you need to crucify as the cross you have taken up? Would you say you are living a meaningful, significant and abundant life Christ promised? If so, what is that evidence? If not, why? What do you need to do today to take up your cross to follow Christ?

Scripture To Meditate On: Matthew 16:26, “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (NLT).

Prayer To Pray: “Lord, please show me what I need to crucify in order to follow You more obediently. Whatever it is, I will crucify it for You. I do not want to be distracted by things of this word; rather, I want to be focused on Your kingdom and the Gospel. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”

I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly