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DENY yourself

Matthew 16:24&25
"24 Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it."

Peter tried to REBUKE Jesus after He shared GOD'S plan with His Disciples. Jesus was forceful in his reply to Peter. Peter's concerns for Jesus were expressed in the form of a temptation for our Messiah. The mere suggestion that could have the crown without the cross. Maybe He could be like the kings of the world and not have to follow the plan His Father in heaven has set for Him. How often do you and I see God's plan the same way Peter does? And, in our ignorance and out of our hubris we question GOD?

We need to HEAR Jesus's answer in today's verses; "Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him DENY himself, and take up his CROSS, and FOLLOW Me. For whosoever will save his life shall LOSE it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall FIND it." We think we understand these verses and the meaning being we need to prevent ourselves from receiving pleasure or profit. This is NOT the meaning found in the original GREEK version. There we read a more explicit meaning where all our natural motives and impulses that come into conflict with the claims of Christ are denied. This self denial commanded here is patterned after the Son of God, in becoming man emptied Himself and came to walk among His creation and become a living sacrifice for all people of all time.

The good parts of these daily devotionals are inspired by the sermon at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg Texas. You can watch it by following this link... https://youtu.be/Q2QPLUQnaiM

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