Our scripture this morning is Luke 9:23-27.
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels. I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God.”
Jesus tells us plainly that we must be prepared to face opposition from the world just as He did. He says “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” That is a heavy task, but one we must be prepared to do every day as the disciples of today. Jesus came to save us from our sins but it is up to us to follow Him to salvation.
Gracious God, we are thankful for the example we see in our savior. Help us to be faithful followers, loving everyone as You first loved us. Amen.