What does it mean to really be a follower of Christ? What does it involve to be a true “Christian” in the literal sense of the word? The best definition I ever found was given by Jesus Himself in Mark 8:34 “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Notice that Jesus gives three qualifiers of how to become His follower:
1. “He must deny himself.”
In other words we need to empty ourselves of any selfishness, self-will and self-control. It is time to stop being in the driver’s seat and let Jesus navigate our life! Haven’t we had enough disappointments and heartaches from our own decisions? Why do we insist upon handling everything by ourselves when discouragements meet us at every bend?
One cannot follow Jesus if he wants to be in control. How often don’t we think to be doing God’s will, only to find ourselves far from the presence of God? Just like a monkey, who has its hand stuck in a coconut because he is holding dear to a “treasure”, is easily caught and imprisoned, so are we held captive by our own self-control! We cannot follow Jesus and ourselves at the same time! Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” NIV
But how can you get rid of depending on yourself? It is only possible by depending on Jesus.
2. He must “take up his cross.”
Some declare that once you become a Christian you will have no more troubles. This is far from the truth found in God’s Word! “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds…” (James 1:2 NIV); “…So that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them.” (1 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV); “They will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.” (Luke 21: 12 NIV); and “Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.” (John 15:20 NIV)
Trials and persecution cannot be avoided. However there is one difference once we become Christians: We do not have to face difficulties all by ourselves any longer. Jesus is with us and in us to help us out! “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” NIV With such help at our side, we cannot but take up our daily cross and depend not on us, but on Him “who will give us rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
However, some of us seem to prefer carrying our crosses from the past. They seem so much bigger than the current ones and they sap us of all our energy. And so we concentrate and live in the past, with no hope for a future.
Others prefer to live with future crosses. There are so many things to do! There is no time to concentrate on the present. Tasks must be done! These people continually rush from one place to another, never fulfilling their real purpose in life, completely missing out on the joys of the present.
Jesus wore His cross so differently! He never dwelled in the past nor on the future. Although He knew of His upcoming cruel death on the cross, He didn’t suffer from his future knowledge until He was minutes from being dragged away to His destiny. Although He could have been extremely busy, He enjoyed every moment of the present and was always available to anyone in need! He lived in the present and carried His daily cross with dignity.
3. Most importantly, “He must become (Jesus’) follower.”
It is all about Jesus! It is not about us. He is the One who made it possible for us to be reconciled with our Heavenly Father. He is the One who died for our sins. He is the One who helps us out of our trials. He is the One we can always count on. Only when we have emptied ourselves from any self-control and carry our daily cross depending on Jesus, will we truly feel the blessings of really knowing Jesus personally.
Are you a follower of Jesus?
Rob Chaffart
Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org, prayer@answers2prayer.org .