Pastor’s Corner: “In the Footsteps of Jesus”
Matthew 16:24-25 (NLT) – 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.
Are you a follower of Jesus? It’s the most important question you will ever answer.
I know. You’ve been asked this question before. Because it’s so familiar there is a tendency to dismiss it. Not because it makes you uncomfortable or it’s convicting. The question is dismissed mostly because it feels redundant and unnecessary. It’s an important question, but you’re so sure of your answer, your mind quickly dismisses it. But before you move on too quickly, let me clarify what I am not asking. I am not asking if you go to church or if your parents and grandparents are Christians. I am not asking if you raised your hand at the end of a sermon or repeated a prayer after a preacher. I am not asking if you spent your summers at VBS and/or church camp, have ever worn “Christian t-shirts,” or understand phrases like “traveling mercies” and “sword drill.”
Many of us are quick to say, “Yes, I’m a follower of Jesus,” but I’m not sure we really understand what we are saying. One of the most sobering passages in the Bible tells of a day when many who consider themselves to be followers of Jesus will be stunned to find out that he doesn’t even recognize them. Read Matthew 7:21–23.
Following Jesus is more than just putting your feet down in someone else’s pathway. True followers of Jesus face great challenges and have great opportunities. There is a real cost and a real sacrifice when we choose to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. Jesus told us we would need to take up our cross daily and follow Him. The challenge is, ‘Is Jesus worth it? Is Jesus worth your sacrifice?’ We all know that the answer to that question is a resounding Yes! But it is not always easy to make the right choice when faced with the temptations of life – many of which can seem very attractive.
We all need to know the fact that God has a dream and vision for each of our lives. And the key to knowing God’s unshakable call on your life is to get to know Jesus better! Do you really know Jesus? Do you spend quality time with Him? It takes setting aside time just for Him – ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ He will test what’s in our hearts, but the good news is that Jesus will always use what He’s tested.
This `knowing Jesus` is much more than an intellectual knowledge of Him; it’s a deeper understanding than that. In your heart you need to be at peace with yourself and know that you are loved and accepted. You need to know your uniqueness and gifts. You need to know your abilities and even your limitations. But above all you need to know the heart of God for you. ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’ (Jeremiah 29: 11).
Tell Jesus that you want to know Him, not just know about Him. Do some honest self-evaluation: Have you spent more time learning about Jesus than learning to fall in love with him? Consider reading through the Gospel of John in the next twenty-one days (just one chapter each day), simply focusing on getting to know Jesus.
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton