JESUS OR ME?

Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, if any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

What does this verse mean? I guess that we can make a few assumptions by observing the Christian religion. Here are some suggestions.

It means going to church on a Sunday morning.

It means going to church on a Sunday morning and evening.

It means giving a tenth of your income to the church.

It means going to the midweek prayer and bible study.

It means volunteering for the church supper.

It means telling the preacher that he gave a nice sermon.

It means not rocking the boat.

It means letting the minister do all the hard work.

It means attending the quarterly business meeting.

It means opening your home to the midweek small group.

It means attending the church’s working bee.

It means taking up the offering on Sunday.

It means handing out the elements at communion.

It means being on the cleaning roster at church.

It means volunteering for meals on wheels.

It means teaching in the Sunday school.

It means visiting the shut-ins.

It means playing an instrument on Sunday.

It means operating the sound equipment.

It means feeling good about yourself.

I am sure you can add a few more to the list.

Now let’s look at what it really means. We are told if we want to follow Jesus we have to deny ourselves. This means we are to disown ourselves or in other words, have nothing to do with ourselves, which means whatever we want, we say no.

Secondly we are to take up our cross which means to expose ourselves to death and self denial. Ask yourself if any of the activities listed expose you to death and self denial?

Then it says we have to follow Jesus as a disciple who is a pupil of Jesus.

So this verse means that we have to disown our very existence and expose ourselves to death and denial and become a pupil of Jesus.

Perhaps that is what Paul was getting at when he said our lives are hid with Christ in God.

Bottom line…shouldn’t be able to see you. Why? So that we can see Jesus.

“If I am lifted up I will draw all men to me.”

Who does your church lift up? Who do people see? Jesus or you?