Greater Than Yourself

Matthew 16:24-25

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.

                 

Have you ever had real purpose in your life? Have you ever felt a calling greater than yourself to fulfill? Jesus came to fulfill his purpose that no one else could have done. The amount of prophesies he fulfilled was impossible for anyone else to accomplish. Be thankful that Jesus was able and willing to come and fulfill his purpose here on earth so that some could receive him as Lord.

This scripture says we must take up our cross and follow him. If we hang onto our life, we will lose it, but if we give up our life for his sake, we will find it. Back in Jesus’ day, to carry your cross meant you were going to die. How interesting is it that the tool used to kill Jesus is the very thing that Jesus says for us to carry.

We really should pay closer attention to what Jesus said in these verses. Following Jesus is never going to be easy. Jesus said the road will be difficult and few will find it. It’s easy to love this world and everything in it. It’s not easy to lay yourself down everyday for someone else. If we want to be a disciple of Jesus, we have to be committed and willing to die for him.

Dear Jesus, help me to die to myself daily and pick up my cross for your sake. I understand the road will be difficult and can lead me to tough situations. I pray for courage and strength to follow your will today! In Jesus’ name, Amen!