Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it.

This passage begins with the same words in greek “apiso mu,” that he had said to Peter, in a previous passage. He told Peter “get behind me,” today he is saying to all on His disciples “come after me.” Our english translation makes it seem like they are different, but in greek they are the same words. However, in today’s reading He adds that anyone that “gets behind” Him, must also take up his cross and follow Him. This means that in order to be His disciple, you must also be willing to suffer as He did.

If you try to save your life you will lose it, but if you give your life for His sake will gain eternal life. This is the way of the lord, and the economy of heaven. You must be a servant, you must be willing to sacrifice for others and to put yourself third. Discipleship is cruciform, and it will not be easy. You may find yourself being persecuted for Him. You may find that you become isolated from members of your family. But you cannot find the Peace of heaven without suffering the pain of this world.

This is not cheap grace, like comes from the false teaching of the health and wealth evangelists. This is discipleship, and it requires sacrifice, and suffering. Whether you are born into extreme poverty or extreme wealth, this world only offers pain in return. This is the result of original sin, and the consequence of choosing your own will over God’s will for your life. The only way to overcome this result is to embrace this pain, make the most out of the life you have been given, and offer it all up in sacrifice to the Lord. There is no other way. The pain is inevitable, but your reaction to it is completely up to you. Choose well.

Oh lord, help me today to choose well, to choose you, and to suffer for you, so that I can live in eternal happiness with you forever.