Wednesday, February 23: Scripture – Luke 9:23-27
23 Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
24 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.
25 What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?
26 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
27 But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”
Prayer Focus: As the Gospel is shared with us by the evangelists Matthew, Mark, and Luke, they all share this series of sayings by Jesus. However, Luke is the only one that reports Jesus saying, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” The key additional word is “daily.” I’ve heard it said that if Jesus asked for a “one time, give it all up, and follow me” commitment, most of us would immediately say yes! The challenge is to do it again and again and again and again. To take up our cross … daily. What does that look like for you? Pray that you might take up your cross today and follow Jesus.
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