The Way To life Is the Way of The Cross (Deut. 30:15-20/Psalm 1/ Luke 9:22-25)


"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" Luke 9:23

Our Lord Jesus Christ in the gospel reading of reading over today reminds His disciples of a very important truth of life, that is, the fact that they have a choice to choose life or death, happiness or sadness. What they will get will depend on the choice they make.

This is a truth the people of Israel even in the old dispensation were made to know and understand. As we could see in the first reading that God through Moses set before the people life and good and blessings and also set before them death and evil and curses. Whichever one they make the choice for through their obedience or disobedience is what they will get.

In life we are confronted with the need to make a choice from time to time, however, it comes with a caveat that we make the right choice so as to be happy, otherwise,  if we make the wrong choice we will be sad and live with the regret.

The way of Christ is the way of the cross and this way also is  the way that leads to life. It involves the discipline of self denial and if we intend to be happy in this life and in eternity we must hearken to the voice of God, make the right choice and do His will always. Self denial involves letting go of what the flesh wants and doing what the spirit wills. We deny ourselves comfort in order to grow in the spirit. If you keep giving the flesh what it wants, you will never make any progress in the spiritual journey of faith.

We must practice self denial always as sincere and honest followers of Christ. It will help us to be free in the spirit so that we will serve our God well. Self denial helps us to go for what brings peace and harmony even when our flesh desires to continue to quarrel and cause confusion among people. Self denial helps us to forgive others even when our heart wants to make the choice of bearing grudge and bitterness e.t.c

We must learn from the example of Jesus who obeyed the voice of the Father and went through the journey of calvary in order to bring us salvation. Therefore, anyone who intends to be a true follower of Christ must be willing to take up the cross and follow Him on a daily basis.

Let Us Pray: Lord Jesus, I submit myself to you help me to follow you daily as I carry my cross and practise self denial. May your grace be sufficient for me. Amen.

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