Day 89: Called to a Cross Life

Then Jesus said to his disciples,

"If anyone would come after me,

he must deny himself

and take up his cross and follow me."

Matthew 16:24

Deny yourself. Take up your cross. Follow me.

Thank you, Hunger Relief Community,

for denying yourself

in order to meet the needs of others.

From Pr. Ruth Ann's sermon:

How do we even hear those words in today’s culture?

We live in a world that says,

‘It’s all about you! Don’t deny yourself anything.'

Deny yourself. Take up your cross. Follow me.

Thank you, Hunger Relief Community,

for taking up your cross

on behalf of others who struggle to carry theirs.

Jesus stands in the center of all that saying, ‘Deny yourself. Take up your cross. Follow me.’ And I would guess for most of us, if we’re honest, those words draw a bit of protest, just like Peter.

Deny yourself. Take up your cross. Follow me.

Thank you, Hunger Relief Community,

for following the call

of Jesus to feed the hungry.

Under our words we may be afraid. We may confused by what Jesus is even asking of us and we desperately want Him to stay in the comfortable box we’ve allocated Him. Pretty normal and very human response. Thankfully we have many people in scripture who have had the same reaction. (Moses, Jonah, Mary mother of Jesus, Paul).

This claim about God’s remarkable salvation power – Jesus will be raised from the dead - and the call to live a cross life go hand in hand. For the power of God revealed in Christ is the life giving power which comes to life in us when we follow!

To read Pastor Ruth Ann's entire sermon, click here.

Day 89. Dollar 89. Pound 89. O God, we thank you for your Son, who chose the path of suffering for the sake of the world. Humble us by his example, point us to the path of obedience, and give us strength to follow your commands, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.