Scripture Reading
Matthew 16:24-26 (NSRVUE)
‘Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?’
Introductory Remarks:
One lesson we can ‘take away’ from having walked with Jesus during these 40 days of Lent is to live in surrender to God rather than as a victim of the world and its circumstances.
Major Points of the Lesson:
- Jesus shows us how to let go and let God. He let go of much, including:
- Temptation
- Insufficiency/Lack
- Blame
- Sorrow
- Well meaning friends and family
- His will/His life plan
2. Because Jesus let go of the human ego and its personal will, he was able to face the circumstances of his life as the Christ –the Anointed One of God. He urges us to do the same. “Follow Me.”
Quote: “If you live life on your own personal terms, never considering what God’s will is for you, of what benefit is it to your soul’s progress?” Sheila McKeithen