When was the last time that you took up your cross? What was the experience like? What did you learn from it that could help someone else struggling with a similar challenge?Bearing Our Cross“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, can-not be my disciple” (Luke 14:27).Discipleship means accepting Christ as Savior and Lord. Following Jesus means that you are ready to undergo the same suffering that Christ did. Thus, we must be honest in the way in which we present our message. Certainly the glorious truths of righteousness by faith, Christ’s forgiveness, Jesus’ imminent return, heaven’s incomparable wonders, and God’s unmerited grace should be taught.But should believers desire to proclaim God’s complete message, they cannot overlook cross-bearing. Sadly, some believers erroneously think that preaching any message whereby human beings are called into action is legalistic. “Divine grace has accomplished all,” they proudly exclaim, “and the human race does nothing except receive it.” Jesus, however, disagrees.Read Matthew 16:21–25; Luke 21:12–19; John 15:17–20; 16:1, 2. What should we take away from these texts about the cost of fol- lowing Jesus?____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________Before baptism, every candidate should understand that Christ Himself has assigned him or her a cross, without which they abso- lutely cannot become His disciple. Does this dampen the joy of conversion? Would unrealistically promising them carefree lives somehow increase this joy? Conversion releases believers from the burdens of sin, not from the responsibilities of discipleship. By tak- ing the name of Christ and by publicly revealing that choice through baptism, every believer must be aware that discipleship comes with a cost. What, though, does this world offer that makes what Christ offers not worth it? Nothing.Calculating Cost: First PriorityStudy Luke 12:49–53; 14:25, 26; Matthew 10:37. In what way are we to understand these strong words? What is Jesus telling us here?____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________Modern television newscasters would have concocted a prominent scandal from these words: “Today, celebrated religious leader Jesus of Nazareth advocated familial hatred during His afternoon address. Analysts are comparing these current pronouncements with previously released statements that promoted loving relationships with neighbors and enemies. Informed commentators wonder if this indicates recent policy shifts. Other unconfirmed quotations suggest selling everything and turning the proceeds over to the Jesus movement. Stay tuned for further developments.”A closer study of the Bible and the way in which the word hate is used helps to clarify what Jesus meant. Deuteronomy 21:15 contains Mosaic legislation regarding men with multiple wives. The King James Version, following the natural sense, translates thus: “one beloved and another hated,” concerning those wives. Moses’ point is that if the husband favors one wife above others, he cannot deprive those less favored. The New Revised Standard Version and Modern Language Bible change the terminology rendering beloved with loved and hated with disliked. The Tanakh (Jewish Bible) and the New American Standard Bible (Protestant) settle on loved and unloved. Clearly, the intended understanding was relative affection. Hatred in this context may indicate “loving less.” Matthew 10:37, the parallel passage, cer- tainly lends credibility to this suggestion.Jesus’ point is simple yet full of deep implications. Whenever family receives precedence and Christ becomes secondary, Jesus relinquishes lordship. Serving multiple masters is impossible. Christ certainly sup- ported strong family connections. Such connections, however, receive strength from unshakable foundations. That foundation means loving God unreservedly, first and foremost. God disallows every barrier, inter- ruption, or distraction. Discipleship exacts the supreme price: undivided loyalty to Christ.Lesson 13*March 22–28The Cost of DiscipleshipSabbath afternoonRead for This Week’s Study: Luke 12:49–53; Deut. 21:15; 1 Cor. 9:24–27; Matt. 18:8, 9; John 14:1–3; Heb. 11:32–12:4.Memory Text: “Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:7, ESV).Throughout history, nameless millions willingly sacrificed their lives for Christ. They were imprisoned, tortured, even executed. Millions have foregone employment, suffered ridicule, endured expulsion from family, and persevered through religious persecution rather than forsake Christ. Only God knows the full extent of the suf- fering that His faithful ones have endured.Of course, Paul forewarned, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12, ESV). And Peter said, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (1 Pet. 2:21, ESV).Despite the promises of the so-called “prosperity” preachers, luxuri- ous automobiles and financial gain are not automatic embellishments afforded to believers.In the end, we can be sure that whatever the cost of discipleship is, considering the ultimate reward, that cost is cheap enough.(page 104 of Standard Edition)
Posted on: Mon, 24 Mar 2014 09:57:39 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015