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What It Takes to Truly Follow Jesus

Text: Matthew 10 : 32- 42

The kind of faith that Jesus presented to people was both direct and dynamic. He urged people not to adopt a passive approach towards faith and life. Genuine faith must lead to discipleship! We have very much to learn concerning the matter of how we ought to interpret our faith in the Lord.

“And he who does not take his cross and follow
after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his
life will lose it, and he who loses his life for
My sake will find it.”
Matthew 10:38-39

1. “And he who does not take up his cross…”

Multitudes trailed Jesus wherever He went. People came to Him for different reasons. They sought a blessing or two. They came because they desired healing. They came because no one else had the power and authority to cast out demons.

Though there were “multitudes,” there were few who became disciples! Could it be that many were just not prepared to follow through with such an idea as “taking up his cross”?

a) A very new idea

This seemed to be a very new idea to people. The faith taught at the Temple did not require anyone to take up a cross. Why was there this emphasis of cross-bearing?

b) A difficult idea

The word “cross” was not an unfamiliar one. The Jews had seen the Romans crucify people on crosses. Why did Jesus use the word “cross” with the concept of following Him? Couldn’t the idea of bearing a cross be dropped?

The idea of carrying a cross was a difficult one to comprehend, but Jesus taught it anyway! The concept of cross-bearing was part and parcel of the Gospel He proclaimed.

2. “And follow Me…”

The idea of believing in Jesus without following Him is totally alien! Faith in Jesus was to be considered so great a privilege that the believer is committed to following Him. The idea behind “following Jesus” was one that encompassed a whole lifetime – no less! It also involved pain and suffering, well symbolized by the “cross”.

It is sad today to see many proclaim a watered-down version of the Gospel that Jesus personally proclaimed. In the modern and modified version of the Gospel today, there is hardly any mention of cross-bearing, or discipleship. Who talks today about walking worthy of the Lord?

How we need to return to the original Gospel message that Jesus preached. How we need to re-evaluate our comprehension of the message of the Gospel.

3. “He who finds his life will lose it…”

What did Jesus mean when He spoke these words? Let us ponder the following thoughts.

a) People whose focus is on this earthly life

Jesus was aware that many were pre-occupied with life on earth. These were caught up with the things of this life. Health, wealth, status, influenceâ?¦ these were the things most people were concerned about.

If these were asked to consider faith in Jesus, they would evaluate the worth of the Gospel only in terms of the physical or material benefits they would derive from it. If the benefits are marginal, and if it means sacrificing too much, then the Gospel is set aside politely.

To people such as these, Jesus gave a stern warning. Those who think only in terms of having a good life on earth run the danger of losing the big picture! They run the danger of losing their life with reference to eternity!

b) Choosing the earthly above the eternal

There is nothing wrong with living well. Jesus was not against that at all. The danger arises from a focus that has little or no consideration of the eternal. Short-term gains were constantly preferred above long-term ones. This was a tragic mistake that many had made!

4. “He who loses his life for My sake will find it…”

Jesus spoke very frankly to His disciples about the ministry. He minced no words as He presented to them the possibility of being persecuted. The disciples must be prepared to “lose his life”. Were they prepared to do that?

a) Losing one’s life for a worthy cause

Many are the stories of people who put their lives at risk in service. Soldiers risked their lives in war. Those serving in health-care services also risked their lives often. Those who are unafraid to put their lives out on a limb are appreciated and applauded. And well they should be.

Is serving Jesus any less worthy a cause? Is devoting one’s life proclaiming the Gospel and suffering along the way not worth it all?

Jesus gave a truly encouraging word to His disciples. They may lose their very lives, but they would have in fact gained it for all eternity!

b) Unmoved by any threat

The first step to take must be that of “genuine faith” in the Lord. Once that step of true faith was taken, the next logical step would be “discipleship”. As one learns more about Jesus, there must arise the desire to love Him and to live for Him.

The disciple soon discovers that following Jesus and serving Him places his life at risk. The mildest form would be strong objections. The hardest form would be threats of persecution and intense suffering. The true believer is unmoved in his decision of faith! He is prepared to lay down his life for his Saviour and Lord whom he loves dearly.