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The Pilgrim Path (8-25-2020)

The Pilgrim Path---Mark 8: 34, 35

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.”

TAKE UP YOUR Cross...

From Dr. Knox Chamblin:

Jesus has more than martyrdom in view. Returning to the subject of 10: 38-39 at Caesarea Philippi (16: 24-25), he exhorts a would-be follower to deny himself and to take up his cross DAILY (Luke 9: 23; par. Matt. 16: 24). Doing so is yet more demanding than going to a martyr’s death; the one thing harder than dying for Jesus is living for him in the way here prescribed---namely, willingly denying oneself (As distinct from denying oneself THINGS), and surrendering oneself utterly to Christ, at whatever cost, every single day. It may be agonizing to die to a relationship that obstructs one’s service to Christ; but genuinely and voluntarily dying to oneself---in Pauline terms, crucifying the flesh (Gal. 5: 24)---will almost certainly be excruciating. For is not each of us by nature a fallen, egocentric human being bent upon self-rule and self-determination? In the language of Luke 14: 26, is not “hating” one’s own life (psyche) much harder than “hating” the members of one’s family? Is not the relinquishing of a proud ego to the Lordship of Christ a stupendous miracle of sovereign grace?

The disciple who thus “loses his life” finds it for the first time (Matt. 10: 39b). His is a living sacrifice in the service of God (Rom. 12: 1); his life is one of perpetual crucifixion for the sake of other people (II Cor. 4: 10-11). Such a person can now become---“like his master” (Matt. 10: 25)---a humble servant (20: 26-28). What room is there for pride and selfish ambition (20: 20-25) in someone bearing a cross to a place of execution? What does he have to lose by serving others, and being real with them? By the same token, if a disciple has already willed to LOSE his life for Jesus’ sake (10:39b), how can an enemy TAKE that life from him (10: 16-33)? On the other hand, what does a person intent on “finding his life” (10:39a) have to gain? Will not his self-absorption and self-protectiveness be the very means of his destruction?

From Dr. Daniel Doriani:

The secular gospel of self-fulfillment has led us to think our service to family, to society, and to the church should be fulfilling. Studies of “spiritual gifts” have given some people the impression that they ought to enjoy almost every act of service or ministry. Conversely, people think, “If I don’t enjoy it, it must not be my gift. And if it isn’t my gift, I shouldn’t have to do it.” This is nonsense and we probably know it. How many parents enjoy changing diapers? Who has the gift of diaper-changing? It is a parental duty, an act of sacrificial love. Somehow, we realize this when the topic is children, but miss it on other occasions…

Why do we do the things that we find distasteful? First, they are our duty. Second, they are necessary for life. Third, Jesus calls us to (and illustrates) a life of loving sacrifice. Jesus did not exempt himself from the elements of his mission that he found distasteful. I imagine Jesus like preaching and teaching---he certainly mastered the art. Surely, he also enjoyed performing miracles. Just as surely, he hated the pain of the crucifixion. Yet he bore the cross for our sake. Then he said, “Take up your cross and follow me.”

A Prayer from Philip Doddridge (Independent English Minister / 1709—1751)

LORD, we commit our souls to your almighty hand. Under the sanctifying, life-giving, and supporting influences of your Spirit, help us to wait for your mercy that leads to eternal life.

Then nothing will side-track us---no terror of suffering, allure of pleasure, or false arguments. But guided by the light and truth of Scripture, we will march on to your holy hill.

And when we escape all the dangers of the dark path we are now on, we will greet the dawn of an everlasting day.

Then we will see the Daystar rise, never to set again. Amen.

Jesus, I my cross have taken, all to leave and follow thee;

Destitute, despised, forsaken, thou from hence my all shall be.

Perish every fond ambition, all I’ve sought or hoped or known;

Yet how rich is my condition, God and heaven are still my own.

Henry F. Lyte, 1824, 1833

Grace and Peace in Jesus Christ Our Risen LORD, Pastor Jason