July 9, 2026 -- Matthew 16:24-26 -- What does it mean to follow Jesus?
/People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version
(Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Matthew 16:24–26.
Ever wonder how much money there is in the world? It has been estimated there is about 150 trillion (US) dollars. Plus, another 250 trillion or so in gold, silver etc. If you had it all, every penny of it, there’d be no profit for your soul. The greatest treasure of all time, in any age, in life and in death, is knowing Jesus Christ. How do we live so that we do not lose Jesus, the greatest treasure? He told us.
Deny yourself. Anything that would infer with your walk with God, even good things in this life (like studies, or jobs, or hobbies) must be set aside in favor of the greatest good: Jesus. Basically, whatever it is that your selfish impulses desire more than Jesus, this is what must be denied. In denying yourself the Spirit of God expands your capacity to live for, and serve in loving devotion to, Jesus.
Take up your cross. It is the willingness to endure suffering for the sake of Jesus. He led the way. He suffered mocking, hatred, and even death. Jesus taught that those who believe in Him are not greater than He is. Since He suffered, His followers will suffer as well. There are men who I’ve met in prison who’ve testified going to prison was the best blessing they could ever receive. Their sin was halted. Exposed. And they were forced to examine their lives. In the hardest place of life, Jesus proved to be the greatest blessing. This is true, at the point we pick up our cross we will find our union with Jesus is the greatest blessing ever.
Follow Jesus—three “w” words help here.
Worship includes private devotional times, where one reads the bible, prays, gives time and treasures to God, and sings to God. Worship includes public worship in church services and Bible Study groups. God’s love is explained and God’s people respond in praise and thanks to God.
Witness. When the love of God, perfectly demonstrated in Jesus, touches your heart, you can’t help but tell others. One of the more timid men in prison shared with me yesterday that others around him in prison have noticed a change in him. He attributes the change to Jesus. They are intrigued. Even though he is shy, the radiance of God’s love inevitably shines out from his life. Telling others about Jesus becomes the most natural thing ever, because He is the most important Person ever.
Work. In public and in private, at your workplace, school, leisure, night and day, you live for Jesus. All your life is focused on this one goal: living for Jesus. That is what it means to follow Jesus.
Prepare for His return. There is a finish line, a goal in all of this, that is living knowing Jesus will return. When He does, the weight of everything you’ve given up serving Him will seem light and momentary, in view of the weight of glory in store for you in eternity. When Jesus returns, all wrongs will be made right. All injustices will be addressed. It is a moment of terrible justice, and great glory. His people will stand and shout: it was worth it. Every moment of it. Martyrs will cheer the blessedness of God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.
GLORIOUS GOD,
It is the flame of my life to worship thee,
the crown and glory of my soul to adore thee,
heavenly pleasure to approach thee.
Give me power by the Spirit to help me worship now,
that I may forget the world,
be brought into the fullness of life,
be refreshed, comforted, blessed.
Give me knowledge of thy goodness
that I might not be over-awed by they greatness;
Give me Jesus, Son of Man, Son of God,
that I might not be terrified,
but drawn near with filial love,
with holy boldness;
He is my Mediator, Brother, Interpreter, Branch, Daysman, Lamb;
him I glorify, in him I am set on high.
Crowns to give I have none
but what thou hast given I return, content to feel that
everything is mine when it is thine
and the more fully mine when I have yielded it to thee.
Let me live wholly to my Saviour,
free from distractions, from ^carking care,
from hindrances to the pursuit of the narrow way.
I am pardoned through the blood of Jesus-
give me a new sense of it,
continue to pardon me by it,
may I come every day to the fountain,
and every day to be washed anew, that I may worship thee always
in spirit and truth.
^carking care: distressing or worrisome cares
Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions, “Worship”. Editor A. Bennet: Carlisle, PA: THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST, 2020 edition, page 358
https://youtu.be/TpELMk4-3n8?si=Bjk9mLsSDqrhgMAs O Lord, My Rock and My Redeemer
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