Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

Matthew 16:24

These days, as I am about to enter my 90’s, I am thinking a good deal about the joys and benefits I have and still have as a follower of Jesus Christ.  Just thinking of Jesus’ friendship excites me, now as much as ever, if not even more.

Then Anna Ruth and I had our after-breakfast time of reading, prayer as usual this morning.  Our Daily Light reading (for evening) set me to thinking.   Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”  What does Jesus offer?  A cross!  Not the kind some people have on a neckless, but the Cross of Calvary where Jesus died to take away the sins of those who would believe in Him.  This was at the very heart of all Christian witness.  It is the one common belief that binds all believers together.  We are all saved by that shed blood, no matter our culture, age, attainments or what.

I like the benefits that I receive as a disciple of Jesus – more than I can count or even know.   That is good and rejoices my heart.  But there is a truth that is the basis of all blessing, the Cross of Christ.  It is not just a symbol but the center reality of God’s relation with man and vice versa.

Jesus pointed to the ultimate truth that will always startle us, that is, to follow God we must deny ourselves!  To know Jesus, I must die to my own conceptions and embrace Jesus fully!

I like the benefits that are mine, available because Jesus died for me, in no other way.  Dying hurts.  Resurrection is pure joy.