Come, Follow Jesus (1963)

To find life (25,26)

Jesus is contrasting belief, life in the kingdom of God; and unbelief, life outside the kingdom of God.

To live life outside the kingdom of God, in unbelief, is to live for the world. With all its pleasures, riches, honor, etc.

To live in the kingdom of God, belief, is not only trusting in Jesus but doing everything to keep us in the faith, not being careless and eventually losing our faith and all the joys that come with being in the kingdom and heaven.

So Jesus asked, “What good will it be to gain the whole world, and yet forfeit the soul?” What good will it be gain the whole world and yet have one day in which we lose everything. And have nothing in eternity?

By following the plan (21-23)

Jesus talk about his imminent suffering and death but also his resurrection, come back to life.

This is was not the first time Jesus spoke about this. But each time he gave a little more detail. Not very pleasant thoughts.

Peter spoke up. This should not happen to Jesus. He was going to to it that it did not happen to Jesus. He personally would stop or prevent it from happening.

Just prior to this Peter had made that great confession of Jesus. He referred to Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. Peter now contradicts what Jesus said.

Jesus responds with some strong words. “Get behind me, Satan!” Peter was speaking for the devil, whose goal was the very point.

The devil knew it would mean his end. It was also the will of the Father that Jesus go the way of the cross.

Peter was not following the plan of the Father. Do You? Forgive sins? Raise children?

By denying self (24)

We all have desires that just beg us to satisfy and enjoy them. Our desires can come in such a degree that we plan our lives around them. They can become the reason for us getting up in the morning and living & planning our days.

Want to be his disciple:

An act of will. We want to do it.

We want to be warmed by his love.

We stop living for our own desires and pleasures and seek Jesus’ love and his smile on us.

Deny yourselves:

To refuse to recognize or acknowledge. To say “NO!”

To say no to desires and wishes. To not even acknowledge them. They are not a part of lives.

Instead our desires is to do what shows love and/or devotion to Jesus.

People see that Jesus is our desire.

Take up the cross:

The cross was an instrument of extreme torture and pain.

Jesus took up his cross and endured all the pain and torture needed as payment for our sins.

We should be willing to take all the pain and uncomfortableness it means to show Jesus our love for him.

To deny ourselves and the world is no easy task. It is downright painful. But are to take up the cross once and never let it down.

Follow Jesus:

We are to completely lose sight of ourselves and our interests and focus our attention on Jesus.

To accept and follow his leadership, command, and leadership.

He did so much for us. We should strive to do for him.

Walking and following are involved.

Make no mistake about it, this is something that is very difficult. It can only be done with his help and reason or motivation.

You’ve turned to Jesus for your forgiveness. Turn to Jesus to make it possible to follow Jesus and desires his love and approval over everything else.