BE JESUS’ DISCIPLE!
BE JESUS’ DISCIPLE!
Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” —Mark 8:27:29
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? —Mark 8:34-37
The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. —Psalm 98:2
First, our Lord has made known His salvation and has revealed His righteousness to the nations. Will people respond? That is up to them. But we do know that “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9). It is true that our Lord God Almighty “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (I Timothy 2:4). But it is an act of one’s will— “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). Then the “great exchange” takes place— “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (II Corinthians 5:21). Jesus took the penalty for our sin and whoever calls on Him receives the “righteousness of God.”
Like the early disciples, a person has to come to the conclusion as to who Jesus is. Peter, when asked by Jesus— “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” When many were deserting Jesus— “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:67-69). Have you come to that conclusion and have called on Jesus to save you?
What does it mean to follow Jesus? “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” To follow Jesus is to have His priorities. Those who do not want to follow Him will forfeit eternal life with Jesus and be separated from Him… FOREVER! — “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels… “Then they will go away to eternal punishment” (Matthew 25:41, 46). So, take heed if you have not called on Him and do so now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD6khv6pGkw&t=1s Yes, Dear Father, if there are any reading this and have not called on Jesus to save them, may they do so now by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. So may it be! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcmqSfr1ENY&list=RDPcmqSfr1ENY&start_radio=1