Daily Bread

8 Aug 25
Today’s Daily Bread is brought to you by Rev Gav.

Matthew 16.24–end

Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, 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?

‘For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.’

Reflect

Taking up your cross and following Jesus did not mean willing to literally die by crucifixion, but was an expression to convey that the way of Jesus was a way of mockery and scorn. You see, when someone was crucified, the upright post stood in place at the execution ground, and the condemned person would carry the crossbeam through the streets as they made their way to it. This humiliation was very much part of the punishment, and the streets would be lined by people shouting insults and hurling abuse.

Of course, the destination of the march of the condemned was ultimately death, but to follow Jesus, through his death and resurrection would lead to life. This is why Jesus explained that if you wanted to gain life you must first lose it to Christ, so what does this mean?

Losing oneself to the way of Christ means denying your right to live life your own way and on your own terms. How hard it is for those who are proud and self-centred to give themselves unreservedly to God, but it is possible!

When Jesus said that those who live life this way — who give their lives to God — will be repaid, he meant that the reward for living this way will be great. It's not that we will be paid for the works we do, but the payment or reward is the kind of reward you get when you invest in a relationship. Jesus called it 'eternal life' meaning life in all its fulness in the here and now and forever.

If you have never consciously given your life to Jesus, perhaps today will be the day? And if you have already done so, then there is nothing wrong with reaffirming your vow. Find a quiet place, focus your mind on God, and pray.

Pray

Holy God
I put my trust in you
and give you my life.
Jesus, I accept you
as my Sovereign and Saviour
and will go wherever you call me.
May my voice be your voice,
my hands be your hands,
and my heart be your heart.
Please fill me and lead me
through the power
of your Holy Spirit.
Now and forever.

Prayed 12 times.
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