all eyes on jesus | setting a radical standard

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life[b] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” Mark 8: 34-36, NIV

There comes a pivotal moment for all of us in our discipleship when the Holy Spirit reveals that we are on a journey marked by great joy and blessing but also extraordinary self-denial, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment. Jesus sets forth a radical standard for those who choose to follow Him. He invites us to relinquish the pursuit of self-centred desires and embrace a life that mirrors his sacrificial love, prioritising obedience to God over personal comfort and convenience.

The challenge extends beyond mere self-denial; it encompasses a wholehearted commitment to Jesus' mission. In a world driven by materialism, success, and pleasure-seeking, Jesus calls us to shift our focus from temporal gains to eternal significance. The challenge lies in aligning our priorities with Kingdom values, finding purpose in serving others and advancing the Gospel.

It's not an easy call! Jesus underlines the potential rejection and shame his followers may face. Embracing the challenge means standing firm in the face of opposition, trusting that the eternal rewards far outweigh the current hardships. It's a call to courageously identify with Christ, even when others may laugh at us or misunderstand our intentions.

But there are rewards. These will involve a combination of spiritual, emotional, and physical blessings but the ultimate reward is the deep and eternal relationship with Jesus we can experience, marked by his grace, love, and faithfulness.

Let's pray
Lord Jesus, would you help me surrender more of my ambition and more of my idea of how my life should be in order to follow you wholeheartedly. Thank you that as I embrace the challenge of loving sacrificially and prioritising your kingdom I can trust in the rewards that come with partnering with you. Thank you, Jesus, for a life filled with purpose. Amen.