“AND when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, Whoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”
In most of the campaigns of this world, when an effort is made to get followers for one cause or another, everything is done to make the work look as easy and simple as possible and every attraction put before helpers so they will join the campaign. But Jesus did not put His cause under any false colors. He plainly tells those who would follow Him that it was to be a life of self-denial and the bearing of a cross — not a program of great earthly rewards. It might even cost one’s life to be a disciple of Jesus, but “Whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.”
We have noticed before that in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus is seen as the perfect Servant — not seeking His own pleasure or comfort. As the obedient Servant, He was always subject to the Father’s will — not questioning, nor seeking to change the pathway marked out for Him. This, then, is also to be the proper pattern of all who would follow Him. One who would be a servant in a half-hearted way, is really no servant at all and can expect no reward. More seriously still, one who is so doted to this world’s pleasures and gains that he seeks profit only here, with never a thought as to eternity, would do well to search for the answer to this most important question: “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” Or what shall one say who here is ashamed to come forth and own the name of Jesus as Saviour, when he finds in the coming day that the very One whom he fused will then be ashamed of to his eternal loss? Can any more solemn question be asked: “What shall a man give in exchange for his soul? In the light of eternity, the things this world, often sought after with such energy, will be absolutely valueless, and if they have been a snare keep us from accepting the Lord as Saviour, what bitter and sad regrets will be known throughout eternity!
Reader, where is your treasure being laid up? Is it in the things offered by this world — wealth — position – some crowning achievement that will win you this world’s recognition? Hear what the Word of God says about such ambitions: “Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” James 4:13-14.
While we are instructed in the same Holy Scriptures to be diligent as to our employment and to provide for daily needs in an honest and faithful performance of our duties, yet the object of such is just to see us through this world and not to be carried away with it. The Lord Jesus Himself expressed it so well in Matt. 6:19-20: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.”
God marks every little deed and act of faithfulness in our lives. Will it not be a delightful experience to find a treasure waiting for us in the glory?
ML-10/20/1963