Daily Reflection – 2/15/2024
Sacred Scripture
He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” (Luke 9:22-25)
Reflection
The season of Lent brings each of us to a challenging confrontation. The confrontation is with ourselves and the challenge is asking how far will we walk to truly know Jesus in our life. Not just intellectually, or as we worship in Church, but rather the One to whom we give up our very lives so that we may live forever with Him.
“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?”
If those words give you pause and reflection, what about this?
“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Those three sentences are totally countercultural to the society in which we live. Aren’t we supposed to be self-sufficient? Aren’t we supposed to climb the ladder of success? Aren’t we supposed to buy into the barrage of advertising that centers on doing things and buying things that make our SELVES more attractive?
Well, if we are to walk in the footsteps of Christ now just as at the time of the Apostles, it is inevitable that we will have to have to swim against the tide and, at times, become a “sign of contradiction” in society. For fear of losing face or security, will we turn back before the various obstacles, or move forward with confidence, audacity and the gift of ourselves?
“The gift of ourselves.” That is the greatest of all gifts. It is most evident when we understand what it means to take up His cross daily.
As we discover Christ more intimately then we understand what is meant when He said we must carry His cross daily. When my will crosses with His will, then his will must be done. The way of the cross involves sacrifice, the sacrifice of laying down my life each and every day for Jesus’ sake.
What makes such sacrifice possible and “sweet” is the love of God poured out for us in the blood of Jesus Christ. Paul the Apostle reminds us that “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5).
Is that cross heavy? Yes, especially if we have yet to embrace the thought that the more we lose ourselves in Christ, the more we will gain his peace and love in our lives.
“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?””
When we surrender our lives to God, he gives us new life in his Spirit and the pledge of everlasting life with God. That is the meaning of “the great exchange.”
Each day, we must live in Him and for Him.
No one ever said that it was easy to do that. Especially when our lives and values are rooted in the ways of this world. But true everlasting peace only comes when we live beyond the values of this world. For most people, it is a gradual evolution. But an evolution which means everything.
A true disciple is ready to give up all that he or she has in exchange for true happiness, life, and peace with God. The life which God offers us is abundant, everlasting life. And the joy which God places in our hearts no sadness or loss can diminish.
Prayer of The Day
“Lord Jesus, I give you my hands to do your work. I give you my feet to go your way. I give you my eyes to see as you do. I give you my tongue to speak your words. I give you my mind that you may think in me. I give you my spirit that you may pray in me. Above all, I give you my heart that you may love in me, your Father, and all mankind. I give you my whole self that you may grow in me, so that it is you, Lord Jesus, who live and work and pray in me.”
Daily Note
As we enter into this season of Lent it is an opportunity for us think again about what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. To think about Jesus’ radical call to discipleship. Not everyone who heard Jesus preach, chose to follow him, many turned away sad and disappointed because they weren’t prepared to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow him. The Christian life can be tough and challenging, but it is only when we live in imitation of Jesus that we discover life as it is meant to be lived, because ultimately it is only Jesus who can meet are deepest needs.
I love the prayer