Journey Through The Bible
      Old Testament Reading: Nehemiah 1-2
      New Testament Reading: Matthew 10

And whoever doesn’t take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it, and anyone who loses his life because of me will find it (Matthew 10:38-39).

The Jews viewed suffering as God’s punishment. The disciples could not understand Jesus’ message that they would suffer for being obedient.

We need to remember that the disciples were common men given a compelling task. Before they were the stained-glassed saints in the windows of churches, they were somebody’s next-door neighbors trying to make a living and raise a family. They were not students of theology or raised to be Pharisees. But they were a bit more devoted than they were afraid and, as a result, did some extraordinary things.

Jesus said, And whoever doesn’t take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me (v38). The cross, of course, was a means of execution. To take up the cross and follow Christ does not mean to wear a cross pendant or lapel pin or to place a sticker on our car. Nor does it mean that as a Christian there is some burden we must bear during our lifetime. It means to die to our own selfish needs daily and put Christ and His kingdom first in our lives.

Our love of Christ must master the instinct of self-preservation. Anyone who finds his life will lose it, and anyone who loses his life because of me will find it (v39). The temptation is to live one’s life by trying to avoid the pain and loss of a life of total commitment. But this is the greatest waste of a life—to spend it in the gratification of self. The greatest use of a life is to spend it in the service of Christ. The person who loses his life in devotion to Him will find it in its true fullness. Jesus was telling the apostles that losing their reputation, relationships, personal freedom, physical well-being, and even life itself, will be worth it, for no believer ever truly regrets the time, energy, and sacrifice spent for the glory of the Lord.

Jesus promised hard times, but he also promised comfort. The final destination for Christians is guaranteed. When you answer the big question of eternity, all the minor questions of life fall into perspective. We need to continually look forward to the day when we will no longer be persecuted but will be rewarded for persevering and let the reality of that reward encourage us.