Losing Yourself in Christ

21From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

22Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"

23Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

24Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save his life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 27For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. 28I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

Devotion
In these passages, Jesus predicts His death on the cross and the resurrection.  At the same time, He also describes the sacrifice necessary to be one of His followers.  Interpretations of this text reveal that the disciples realized the implications of Christ’s statements.  As His followers, the risks were significant and dangerous.   The disciples, not unlike Jesus, could face persecution, ridicule, suffering, and ultimately death—all for the cause of Christ.  Despite these realities, Jesus is clear and direct in His statements.  Complete devotion described the choice necessary to be one of the Twelve. 

So, is this not the same expectation He has of us?  Absolutely!  As His modern day disciples, Jesus expects our total commitment when he says “…he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me (v. 24)” and “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it (v.25).”
                                                      
So, have you lost your life in Christ?  Is your life consumed by the mission to serve God and bring Him glory and honor?  Or are you still lost in your own circumstances?  Too often our short term circumstances divert our focus from our eternal perspective on Christ.  Remember that it is never too late to ask God for His strength and peace to turn your eyes towards Him.  God will never forsake you and waits with open arms to care for you as one of His children.

Prayer
Lord, help me shed whatever resistance I have left from placing my complete trust in You.  May my humble service honor and glorify Your name.  Amen.