Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
Matthew 16:24
Jesus explained to his disciples that following him had to be a life-time’s commitment that would come at a cost. Soon afterwards, Jesus met a rich young man who decided against following because he considered the cost (of donating his great wealth to the poor) too high a price to pay. (Matt.19:16-22) How tragic! Peter’s reaction was to claim that the disciples had left everything and followed him – a decision he never regretted. Reviewing his life and the fiery trials he had endured, he wrote, Rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings. (1 Pet.4:13) No disciple will ever regret their decision to follow.
Daily Reading: 2 Kings 10
Bible in One Year: 2 Corinthians 12; 1 Chronicles 1-2; Habakkuk 3
