By
Timothy Howe
Pursue personal sacrifice, not personal benefit.
Shhh?
Yesterday I wrote concerning the question, "Doesn't it seem odd that Jesus would not want people to know who He was and embrace His role as the Messiah?" Remember how Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem and he was preparing the disciples for what would happen once he arrived. It was at this time that we stumble across a scandalous secret - Jesus was the Messiah but did not seem to want people to recognize that fact. The reason is that Jesus want people to recognize Him as the true Messiah, not someone from whom one could extract personal gain.
Recognize Jesus as the true Messiah through these 3 pursuits.
We saw the first pursuit that we should have in our effort to recognize Jesus as the true Messiah: Pursue a personal relationship, not personal blessings.
Today, I want to consider to another pursuit that will permit us to recognize Jesus as the true Messiah in our lives.
2. Pursue personal sacrifice, not personal benefit.
Jesus described to the disciples what they should expect if they wanted to follow Him. Jesus required sacrifice of His disciples. He asked them to be willing to make personal sacrifices. Leaders of most movements - religious, political, social, cultural, sportive, etc. - entice their followers by elaborating on what's in it for them. They tell of what benefits the prospective member should expect if they join that cause, organization or movement.
Jesus was different. He taught that those who truly want to follow Him must be willing to make sacrifices, great sacrifices. His followers would lose respect. His followers would lose financial gain. His followers would lose friends. His followers would lose family. His followers would often lose their very lives.
And what Jesus declared to His earliest disciples has continued to ring true throughout the ages. Followers of Jesus throughout most of history have sacrificed much, often all. It is only in the last couple of centuries that this has changed in some places in the world, most notably in the West. In Europe and the USA, being a follower of Jesus does not cost much. In reality, the benefits outweigh the sacrifices in most cases. This is still not true in much of the world today. Yet, isn't it interesting that where Christianity has gotten comfortable is precisely where it appears to be in demise. Where it is hard to be a Christian is where one witnesses its greatest growth!
I believe that there is a direct correlation in the willingness of Jesus' disciples to pursue sacrifice and the growth of His church.
Are you pursuing personal sacrifice or personal benefit from the Messiah?
Tomorrow, we'll consider another crucial pursuit for those who want to recognize Jesus as the true Messiah.
Jesus was different. He taught that those who truly want to follow Him must be willing to make sacrifices, great sacrifices. His followers would lose respect. His followers would lose financial gain. His followers would lose friends. His followers would lose family. His followers would often lose their very lives.
And what Jesus declared to His earliest disciples has continued to ring true throughout the ages. Followers of Jesus throughout most of history have sacrificed much, often all. It is only in the last couple of centuries that this has changed in some places in the world, most notably in the West. In Europe and the USA, being a follower of Jesus does not cost much. In reality, the benefits outweigh the sacrifices in most cases. This is still not true in much of the world today. Yet, isn't it interesting that where Christianity has gotten comfortable is precisely where it appears to be in demise. Where it is hard to be a Christian is where one witnesses its greatest growth!
I believe that there is a direct correlation in the willingness of Jesus' disciples to pursue sacrifice and the growth of His church.
Are you pursuing personal sacrifice or personal benefit from the Messiah?
Tomorrow, we'll consider another crucial pursuit for those who want to recognize Jesus as the true Messiah.
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