day 23: Disciples then and now (Part Two)

Day 23: Disciples Then and Now (Part two)

Scripture Reading: Luke 9:22–26

Today marks Day 23. You are half way through! Great work! On our passage today, Jesus reveals two difficult truths to His disciples. First, He tells them that the Son of Man must suffer, be rejected, and be killed before being raised on the third day. For the disciples, this must have been deeply confusing. They had begun to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, but their understanding of the Messiah was shaped by hopes of victory and glory. Instead, Jesus speaks about suffering and rejection.

Then Jesus turns to them and explains what it means to follow Him: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Discipleship, therefore, is not simply believing that Jesus is Lord. It means allowing our lives to be shaped by the same pattern that marked His life; the path of surrender, sacrifice, and trust in God.

Jesus also teaches a paradox that challenges our natural instincts. We often try to secure our lives by protecting our comfort, reputation, and ambitions. Yet Jesus says that whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for His sake will save it. True life is not found in self-preservation but in faithful obedience to Christ. For believers today, the call remains the same. Following Jesus may lead us through difficult places, but the way of the cross is also the way that leads to resurrection and true life. Be Blessed and Be a Blessing to many.

Prayer:

Lord, I long to be connected to something bigger and better than myself. Help me not be so devoted to those connections that I lose sight of the relationship that matters the most - the only true and abiding relationship that can sustain and nourish me - the relationship that I have with you.

Grace and Peace,

Rev. Won Kim

Lead Pastor of RockSpring Church