a disciples reality...

In Matthew 10:38 following, I find straight forward wisdom as to how one is to respond, live and minister as a follower of Jesus. It's not easy and its not just some words of advice, it's laid out extremely clear and strong from Jesus, "...he who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me." First of all, no one is worthy in themselves of the company, leadership and Lordship of Jesus Christ. There is a personal crucifixion that real followers of Jesus need to experience daily, a total inhalation of my personal kingdom, so His can be supreme. I must confess that I tire of this often. But it is required of any true follower of Jesus. Jesus himself modeled this self-denial throughout his time here on earth. His prayer life emulated such commitment and death to his own will and ideals. His sweet surrender daily to His Heavenly Father's plan was more than just a personal discipline, it was a real example for us to follow.

Then, in the next chapter, Matthew 11:28 and following, we find Jesus proclaim wisdom in a commanding tone, remember, this too is not just advice, this is what we are to do.... "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.... For my yoke is easy and My burden is light." I'm a firm believer that God's Word is authored by the Holy Spirit, inspired and without error in its original form. So as I read this I can see that Christ himself offers the needed rest from the laborious process of attempting to attain peace in this life through the heaviness of self-centered paths of self-righteousness. Verse 28 is not for hard working believers in the ministry who are tired, it is for those who are tired trying other means of happiness outside of Christ. When we die to these things (give them up), we can come to Christ where we will find rest for your soul and a shared load of responsibility's in His Kingdom, that's what a yoke is, meant to team up and partner one with the other to accomplish twice as much work more easily. This is why Jesus' yoke is said to be easy and the burden is light, because the load is not meant to be carried alone, but shared.

Combining the two passages helps me have a more clear understanding of a true disciple's reality. True rest and effectiveness while advancing the Kingdom of God comes from being personally a genuine citizen of God's Kingdom by giving up our own selfish ways. Self-denial and self-discipline is the air and water in God's Kingdom. Without them, one will burn out and run out on all that is true and holy, left only to serve and continually feed the self, which let's be honest, is never satisfied.

Prayer: "Father, I pray today for your grace as self-denial and self-discipline continue to be formed into my person by the work of your Spirit. May your Kingdom come and your will be done here on earth as it is in Heaven. And may all other Kingdoms, including mine, crumble and come to nothing. In the name of Jesus, Amen."