I'd Rather Have Jesus

I love our Bible Study group.  Being surrounded by men and women of faith; brothers and sisters with whom I can laugh, cry, and be accountable to has been a tremendous blessing in my life.   Lately, we have been going through a series about being a follower, versus a fan, of Jesus.  

     In Luke 9:23, Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”  As I pondered this, I realized something.  This is an offensive declaration. To take this verse to heart means to realize that we cannot go our own way any more, for it is not enough.  It means leaving the comfortable, popular road and choosing the Villa Dolorosa,“Way of Suffering” instead.

    Interestingly, we as Americans have a Declaration of Independence; but when we become followers of Christ, we are making a declaration of dependence; becoming dependent upon Christ as our source of security, peace, joy, and righteousness; our everything. If He is going to be my all in all, then there are things in my life -yes, even good things- that I will have to sacrifice.  It means that I don’t just “Take up my cross” once, and that’s all; it means that I have to take up my cross daily.  

   My friend gave me a great quote one day:  “Good things can become bad things if they keep us from the Best thing.”  As Jesus said, we cannot serve two masters, because we will either love the one and hate the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other (see Matthew 6:24).  We have a choice to make.  If it came down to making God my first priority or my friends, which would I choose?  Or let’s say that God asked me to sacrifice my “Fun money” in order to help out someone who has nothing.  Would I do it?  Can I honestly say that I would rather have Jesus than silver or gold, or than anything this world offers me?  To depend on these things rather than Christ is not the mark of a true follower.  

Shepardsville Team and Friends at Levi and Joanne's Wedding
February 2013

   We cannot serve two masters.  We can choose to live for ourselves and think that our way is best, or we can choose to serve Christ.  If we are not following Christ, then who?  Choosing to die to ourselves daily is hard, but the rewards are more than worth it.  Jesus told the rich man, when he asked how he could obtain eternal life, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell all your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me.”  (Matthew 19:21).  What are some things in our own lives that are holding us back?  Do we trust God enough to let them go, knowing that He will provide?  Are we willing to die daily to our own will and let Christ have His way in us?