Running With Jesus With Prof. Boaz Sample

On taking your Cross and Running behind Jesus

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.(Luke 9:23, 24)

Very often the emphasis in Christian preaching is placed on the crown that one will receive at the end of this life’s journey. That is true. However, the key text of our Bible Plan makes it clear that this message is over-emphasized. Hebrews 12:1, 2 reads, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus, the great Lead Runner, is at the place of highest honor, the throne of God. However, he had to go through the cross. He had to die. He had to be buried before he was elevated to the place of glory. 

In his talks to his disciples, Jesus, the Great Marathon Runner always emphasized this. In our Verse of the Day, Jesus says, “You want to be a marathon runner? Deny yourself. Take up your cross every day. Loose your life. Then follow me in this marathon run.” 

In an early hymn, the disciples of Jesus would often remind themselves of this central teaching of Jesus. They sang, 

Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God 

something to be used to his own advantage;

rather, he made himself nothing

by taking the very nature of a servant, 

being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—

even death on a cross!

(Phil 2:6-8)

A Prayer:

Oh Lord Jesus, the great Marathon Runner, please help me carry my cross today, and run behind you.