Following Jesus

If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23)

I was thinking on Jesus’ words today. If I were to paraphrase them, I’d put them this way:

If you truly want to be my disciple (and all Christians are Jesus’ disciples):

1. Stop living for self. Get rid of the “my life” attitude.
2. Rather, live in daily surrender to the Father, offering your whole life to him, obeying him in everything. (Philippians 2:8)
3. Walk with me moment to moment, day to day. Learn from me. And just as importantly, join in what I’m doing: inviting people to come under my Father’s good reign.

One word that really struck me in all this was “daily.” The Christian life isn’t a once a week thing. It’s daily.

And not only did Jesus call us to live as his disciple, so does the Father.

This is my Son, the Chosen One; listen to him! (Luke 9:35)

And so my prayer:

Lord Jesus, my good King, help me live as your disciple, daily following you.