Seek The Cross

Ps Stuart McClement - INChurch Sydney

I aspire to be a Christian who follows Jesus even when it’s challenging. As we participate in seeking God passionately, I’m certain there will be moments of distraction and even difficulty. I’m deeply grateful that Jesus endured the hardships at the cross and demonstrated unwavering obedience to God by willingly sacrificing himself.

This act of love and sacrifice was both beautiful and tragic.

Matthew 16:24-26 NLT

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to be my follower, they must surrender their own desires, embrace their cross, and follow me. 25 If you cling to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26 What is the benefit of gaining the entire world but losing your own soul? Is anything more valuable than your soul?”

Jesus is challenging His disciples and followers to adopt a different lifestyle. He was willing to demonstrate this challenge through His own actions. It was a challenge that transcended His own will and aligned with God’s will (Luke 22:42).

I believe He is calling us today, as His followers, to embrace this same challenge. We should strive to live a different way, seeking the cross of Jesus every day. This means giving up some of our selfish desires, goals, and life choices, and living for Him.

Galatians 2:20 NLT

20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

This passage doesn’t mean we should abandon our lives entirely. Instead, it calls us to surrender our lives to Jesus. What would Jesus want to do in our families and workplaces? What would it look like if His power and authority permeated these spaces?

Perhaps He is waiting for us to open the door to influence these environments.

Reflect

As we seek God passionately, let us seek Him in our hearts and minds, allowing Him to bring His power, authority, wisdom, and peace into every situation and every space we are involved in.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me and giving your life for me. Use me as an instrument to reach out to people and places around me. Bring your power and influence into all aspects of my life. I love you and want to do your will. Amen