“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their Cross and emulate me.  For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for the sake of the Good News will find it.” ~ Jesus (Mark 9:40)

 

Here are a few important notes about this verse …

First & foremost, note that Jesus is giving advice on how to become his “followers” (i.e. active emulators) not his worshipers (i.e. those evincing mere verbal reverence &/or those harboring mere emotional homage) …

Secondly, note as well that Jesus is not speaking about focusing on his crucifixion at all here, but rather is referencing the Truth that a purposeful denial of self must comes before anyone takes up their cross (i.e. the unique calls to self-sacrificial service that we must all engage in order to enter his “Kingdom of Heaven” – see Luke 17:20-21 & John 13:15-17 et al) …

Thirdly, note in closing that it is not merely “niceness” or “friendliness” or “good deeds” that qualify for Jesus – but rather services that are so selfless they cross over into willingly Joy-full self-sacrifice for the other.

 

Amen … Let it be so.

 

 

Filed under: My Favorite Verses by Scaughdt