“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” – Mark 8:34-35
When you were first told about following Jesus, how was it described?
In the Gospel reading, Mark 8:27-38, the passage has several great things that happen.
We hear a little of what people thought about Jesus.
We have Peter’s confession of who Jesus is (The Messiah / Christ).
Jesus tells the disciples of the suffering and death He would face.
Jesus describes what it means to follow Him.
That last one can be pretty challenging. Jesus doesn’t describe a life of ease, free from pain.
Often times when we talk about following Jesus to others, we focus on the positives. We talk about love, peace, and hope. We talk about forgiveness. We talk about finding meaning in life.
To be sure, all these things are true, but they aren’t the whole truth.
Jesus describes a life that will include suffering, maybe even losing our lives. He describes it as taking up a cross and He doesn’t mean to put on a pretty, gold necklace. I don’t know, maybe we shy away from this part because we don’t think the slogan will sell well:
“Know Jesus, Know Persecution. No Jesus, No Persecution.”
The truth is that following Jesus can be difficult and downright dangerous at times. Maybe if we were open about that people who start to suffer wouldn’t be so quick to feel like God abandoned them.
Not Just Words One of the amazing things about Jesus, though, is that He isn’t asking anything of us that is more than He is willing to do Himself. Right before He talks about us taking up our cross, He tells the disciples that He will be taking up a cross, literally, and giving His life for us.
So great is His love for us! When we suffer, He hasn’t abandoned us, He walks with us. Also, we are reminded that death isn’t the end with Jesus. The suffering is temporary. Jesus would rise again in 3 days and we, too, will be raised with Him to eternal life.
Dear Lord,
You suffered and died for me. Give me the courage to suffer for You and, when suffering comes, remind me that You are there with me and never leave me. As I speak to others about Jesus, help me to be open about what that really means as well as to talk about the suffering You endured for us.
“But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For,
“Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” – Hebrews 10:32-39
What are you willing to tolerate for your faith?
In our passage for today, the writer of Hebrews is commending, warning, and encouraging the church all at the same time.
Well Done – The church is commended for enduring hardship and suffering.
Be Ware – The church is warned not to shrink back and give up their faith in the face of further hardship and pressure.
Have Confidence – The church is encouraged that Christ will return and they will endure in the faith and be preserved.
Pressure and Suffering Ahead For a long time, Christians have enjoyed freedom and majority status in the U.S. Even people who weren’t particularly spiritual would join a church and speak about God because it was expected. Those days are gone.
Whether we will ever have days like that again in America is unknown; but if the current trend continues, we will face increased pressure to give up our faith or at least be quiet about it. We will probably also have to endure suffering.
We don’t like to hear it, but we should not hide from the truth.
Do Not Shrink Back The message from Hebrews is becoming more and more relevant to our lives with each passing year. Already, fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction and it is only increasing.
Do not give up.
Pray, stay in the Word, and continue to gather with each other for both your sake the sake of those around you. Our Lord is faithful. He has already won the victory and He will return. Our hope is not in the things of this world. By the power of Christ, we can endure. We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Don’t shrink away, lean into Jesus.
If that time of suffering comes, remember Christ’s promises and join in Paul in saying,
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
and
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:35-39
Heavenly Father,
The life You have given me through faith is greater than anything this world can offer and worth any suffering I may face. Be with me. Keep me in the faith. Make me ever bolder in that faith. When the pressure mounts to give up my faith, draw me even closer to You that I may endure.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16
Have you ever been in the middle of enduring something difficult, yet felt stronger?
The church is an interesting thing. It’s filled with people who the world despises and often considers weak and foolish. They say our faith is just a “crutch” for the weak or the opiate of the masses.
Suffering Often Marks the Church The church has suffered much over the millennia. Sometimes Christians have suffered by choice, like when Christians chose to stay and care for the sick during the Black Plague or when they give generously to those in need leaving little for themselves. Other times, the church has suffered at the hands of others, especially cruel governments.
There are many times since the start of the church where Christ-followers have been outwardly wasting away, as is described in 2 Corinthians 4. Yet, God does not leave us alone in our suffering. In fact, He not only stays with us but strengthens us in a way that is foreign to the world.
The Opposite of What They Expect Many governments over the centuries have tried to stomp out the church. Persecution still happens today in places like China, Iran, and many others. Yet, something strange often happens to the church in these times and places. The church flourishes.
Right now, it is estimated that Iran has the fastest growth in the Christian church of any nation. China is expected to have the largest population of Christians in less than 10 years. These are both places where churches get shut down and Christians are arrested and abused or even killed for the faith.
On the contrary, places like Europe and the United States, where Christians have had been free or even favored now see the slowest growth or even a decline.
True Life There’s life and then there’s life. Jesus promised abundant life. So, how have so many Christians suffered? The abundant life Jesus brings is one of the Spirit. Life from God, alone, that wells eternal. This life does not require money, status, earthly comfort, or earthly freedom.
So, the person with abundant life from Jesus may be wasting away on the outside, but thriving inwardly in Christ. This is how in Acts Christians considered it a joy to be beaten for their faith. This is the strength that raises us up on eagles’ wings. We have true life and that life is fed constantly through the Spirit as a branch attached to a vine or a tree planted by a stream.
So, we need not fear wasting away.
We don’t need to cling to our wealth. We don’t need to be afraid of caring for the sick. We don’t need to despair a despotic government. This is not because God promises to give us great wealth, health, or a favorable ruler, but because Christ’s abundant life is greater than any suffering of these earthly things.
We need only to abide in Christ.
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.“ – Isaiah 40:27-31
Heaven Father,
Help me not to cling to the things of this world, but be willing to live boldly for You, willing to sacrifice all. I know You promise to never leave me nor forsake me. For I know you promise to uphold me with Your right hand and strengthen me in my weakness.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Have you ever felt terrible inside, but decided to smile your way through the moment?
I’m reminded of the countless TV shows and movies where the guy or girl sees their crush with someone else and then has to face them. They smile, say everything’s fine, maybe even say it’s great that they are with the other person. Meanwhile, inside, they are devastated.
Rejoice Always? What do we do with Bible verses like 1 Thessalonians 5:16, “Rejoice always.” Does mean we are always supposed to be happy? Honestly, I don’t always feel happy.
When I hear someone is sick, I don’t feel happy.
When I got a pay-cut during a recession, I didn’t celebrate.
When my 3-year old wakes me up at 5am, I’m not overjoyed.
Am I sinning?
Am I disobeying God when I don’t feel happy? Maybe it will help to bring in a greater Biblical context. Consider Romans 12:15.
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” – Romans 12:15
We can also look to Ecclesiastes saying there is a time for all things or remember Jesus when Lazarus died or when He was about to be killed. Jesus got sad and upset and so can we. We have a wide range of emotions and those emotions aren’t bad. We may respond badly to them, but the emotion isn’t bad. It’s OK to feel sad. It’s even OK to feel angry within the right context.
So, What Is 1 Thessalonians Saying?
It is God’s will for you to be able to rejoice in all circumstances, whether those circumstances are good or bad. This joy comes from our knowing that whatever the earthly situation, we know our heavenly situation. Any suffering is temporary. Christ has overcome the sin, death, and the world. So, even in the worst situation, we can look past the sorrow or horror and see the victorious Christ and, in Him, our victory.
So, this joy isn’t always expressed in happiness. Sometimes, it’s peace. Sometimes it’s endurance. Sometimes it’s longing. Sometimes it is happiness.
The point isn’t to command you to always put on a smile even when you’re dying inside. It’s to remind you that whatever your situation, there is a greater reality that Christ has won the victory, given you a crown, and nothing can take you away from His hand.
Dear Jesus,
You know what it is like to be human. Sometimes I feel great and sometimes I feel sad. Remind me to thank you in those times happiness. Comfort me in my times of sadness with the knowledge of the victory I have in You that I may know Your joy even in my suffering just as my joy was obtained through Your suffering on the cross.
“For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,” – Philippians 1:29
When you think of the blessings of God, what do you think of?
This is a tough verse, today, isn’t it? Do you ever really think of suffering as a blessing?
If I were to have the choice, I would always select the blessings that feel good. I’d pass by the suffering options. Yet, we are blessed to not only believe but participate in Christ’s suffering. Let’s take a look at James 1:2-3.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.“
That’s pretty hard. When everything is going wrong or I’m being mistreated, joy usually isn’t the first thing I think of. Sometimes I find it helpful to imagine Jesus preparing to become incarnate, thinking of having to live for 30 years in our sinful mess, be rejected by His own creation, and then go through unimaginable pain and suffering.
Yet, Hebrews 12:2 tells us that He thought about the joy that was to come, the salvation of mankind and redemption of all creation, and set His face towards the cross. He endured the suffering knowing the joy that was to come.
Like the “suffering” of physical therapy or intense exercise, suffering and testing produce endurance and perseverance. It’s good for us. Often, it also turns out to be good for others who see us willing to suffer for Christ and continue to cling to Him. It can help to look beyond the suffering to the joy that is to come, the endurance in Christ and eternal life with Him.
Does this change your perspective on anything you are going through, now?
Dear Jesus,
When I start to complain of my suffering, remind me of Yours. When I start to get weary, remind me of the joy to come. When I get weak, remind me that when I am weak, you are strong and help me to lean on You.
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” – James 1:12
What trials and tests are you facing right now?
When life’s trials come at us, it can be easy to get mad at God for causing it or letting it happen. We focus on what hurts and offends us. We forget our sin and its consequences and we forget the great mercy and grace God has shown us. As we get angry, we turn away from Him.
With each attack on our faith, we are called to endure, to turn to God rather than away from Him.
I’m reminded of Peter in John 6:68. Jesus had been teaching and some of His teachings offended the people. They walked away saying Jesus’ teachings were too hard. Jesus asked the disciples if they would leave, too.
“Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,”
Between the economy, the virus, and politics, you are likely feeling under attack right now. What better time to turn to God? What better time to lean into His arms and seek His strength and peace? He will strengthen you and raise you up on wings like an eagle. He will not leave you. He will carry you through.
Read Psalm 91:1-16.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— 10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. 15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” – Ephesians 6:10-11
What are you doing to protect yourself these days?
Did you ever watch the show, 24? I really liked that show at least for a while. One of the interesting things about the show is that you had one bad guy at the beginning of the season, but over the course of the season that bad guy would be stopped only to find out that another bad guy was behind the first guy and was the real threat.
With all the craziness around us, it’s easy to focus on all the physical challenges we face.
How do I work and keep my kids at school?
What if I get the virus?
How will I pay the bills since I can’t work?
We focus on these things and miss the spiritual attacks that are going on all around us.
As churches stop meeting in person, the temptation may be to stop worshiping or stop being a part of the church. This is much worse of a threat than a virus.
In times when being physically a part of the church is more difficult, it’s even more important to be the church apart. It’s easy to skip church and just sleep in. Who would know?
It’s Even More Important Now However, it’s during these times that we need to spend even more time in the Bible and in prayer. Pray for each other. Call each other and pray with each other. Fast. Find ways to serve one another and your neighbors.
Remember, the church isn’t the building, it’s the people…it’s you. You are the church just as much today as you were a month ago. You need Jesus just as much today as a month ago. Your neighbor needs Jesus just as much as they did a month ago.
We need to be vigilant both for ourselves and our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need to put on the armor of God every day, filling our minds with God’s promises, seeking the truth, standing firm in the Gospel, and asking God for faith.
What will you do to protect yourself?
Heavenly Father,
Please protect me. Protect me from the coronavirus. Protect me from financial ruin. Protect me from the spiritual attacks going on all around me. Help me to seek You in Your Word and fill my mind with Your promises.
“Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written,
‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him’—
these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” – 1 Corinthians 2:6-11
Have you ever found yourself struggling to understand why something happened?
Why did God do this or allow that?
We all do it. In the end, though, we must remember that God isn’t us and He doesn’t think like us. His ways are not our ways.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9
Often, we get in trouble when we try to explain God or, worse yet, defend Him. When we start speaking where God has stayed silent, we are on unstable ground. This isn’t always easy, especially for pastors. People have questions. We have questions. Yet, we cannot speak where God has not spoken.
Yet, God has revealed Himself to us in His Word so we can understand some of what He has done and why, especially that He has saved us by the death and resurrection of His Son. God gave us His Word not to explain all the mysteries of life or even the mysteries of Himself, but so that we would be saved.
“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” – John 20:30-31
Worldly wisdom won’t get that, but by the power of His Spirit we can believe it. May we stay silent where God is silent. May we speak where God speaks. May we hear Him and believe.
Amen!
Heavenly Father,
You have not told us all there is to know. Truthfully, we could not fathom all Your knowledge and wisdom. You have, however, revealed Your salvation to us. Open our hearts to receive faith. Help us to believe You in all that You have said and to trust You where You have not spoken.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” – James 1:2-3
What are some struggles you are facing right now?
None of us like hard times. Generally, we want to get past those hard times as quickly as possible. During those difficult times, we often plead with God to remove the struggle or complain about it.
Have you ever thought about considering those trials to be joyful experiences?
That’s what James says to do.
Why?
It’s because through those struggles we learn to persevere and cling all the more to God. In some ways, it’s like working out. It’s hard and painful during the workout, but the more you work out the stronger you get and the more you are able to endure physical struggles.
Through our trials, we learn more about God and about ourselves. We become stronger in our faith and are able to better endure future struggles and temptation.
So, just like you might thank your trainer after a work-out, we can thank God for training us up through our trials and we can have joy that God cares enough to help us get stronger.
How is God working in your life right now through your struggles?
Heavenly Father,
I don’t usually like trials and I may complain, but I know you work through those trials to strengthen me and cause me to rely on your more. Remind of that during the struggle that I may know the joy of the struggle.
Amen
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
The Other Six
How To Use These Posts
The Other Six is a short, daily devotional blog post. You can use these posts for personal devotions, however, I’m also going to write them in such a way that you could use them for family devotions. I’ll include a Bible verse, questions and/or discussion points, and a closing prayer. I highly encourage you to do these devotions with your family or friends if possible.
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13
In this passage, Paul says he can do “all things.”
Name off some things that you would include in “all things?”
Did you list anything negative? This passage is often used to say things like,
“You can get the job,”
or
“You can do this project.”
or
“You can win the game!”
This isn’t, however, what Paul is talking about. Paul says he can handle having much or being in need. The text doesn’t indicate Paul is talking about accomplishing things. Rather, he is talking about enduring all things.
In other words, whether I have a lot or a little, joy or sorrow, success or failure, I know I still have Jesus. So, I will find joy in Christ, rather than my circumstance.
This diminishes the affect of your circumstances. If the situation is bad, you know it will only last a little while, but Jesus is eternal. If the situation is good, you know that it’s no where near as good as Jesus. So, even the good circumstances don’t compare to the insurmountable joy of our salvation in Christ.
Does this change your “all things” list?
Heavenly Father,
Give me what You know is best, whether it’s what I would choose or not…whether it’s giving me much or little. Help me to find satisfaction and joy in knowing You regardless of my circumstances.
Amen
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
The Other Six
How To Use These Posts
The Other Six is a short, daily devotional blog post. You can use these posts for personal devotions, however, I’m also going to write them in such a way that you could use them for family devotions. I’ll include a Bible verse, questions and/or discussion points, and a closing prayer. I highly encourage you to do these devotions with your family or friends if possible.