Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
(New International Version)
Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how.
(The Message)
"Whoever wants" and "Anyone who intends" begs the questions -Do you want to follow Jesus; what he taught and how he lived? When it comes to Jesus, what is your intention?
Make no mistake, following the way of Jesus is a choice. A daily one. A choice that involves all of our concerns and feelings, worries, fears, resentments, loves, dreams, burdens, wishes, thoughts, decisions, and relationships- in short our entire lives-and turning them confidently over into the care of God as Jesus did. Jesus is able to live this kind of turning over of his life - because of his radical trust in God. It is wise to notice that his kind of trusting puts him in a position in which, no matter what happens in his life, he fully believes that he will be guided and cared for. It is this radical trust that allows him to keep moving forward, while staying deeply grounded at the same time, no matter what his circumstances.
Remember, Jesus had to grow into this kind of wisdom and develop this deep, abiding, rock-solid relationship with God. We are invited and equipped by the Holy Spirit to do the same. Is that what you want? Is that your intention?
For reflection:
What did Jesus teach? How did he live? Be specific.
How does your living give witness to what Jesus taught and how he lived?
What does it mean to radically trust God in the big picture and with your everyday life?
