The Hard Saying
Back to The Precepts of Jesus
"If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." Matthew 16:24.
In order to follow Christ aright — we must follow Him fully; we must possess the spirit of those of whom it is said, "These are those who follow the Lamb wherever He goes!" Such was strikingly the case with the early disciples of the Saviour. He said to them, "Follow Me" — and immediately they left all, and followed Him. They did not confer for a single moment with flesh and blood — but at once abandoned their homes, their ease, their earthly prospects — for the great object of promoting His cause. In obedience to His command, they engaged in the most arduous enterprises; they encountered the most formidable difficulties and dangers; perils, whether by sea or by land, they heeded not; the most fiery persecutions they patiently, yes, joyfully bore — rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for His sake! None of these things moved them, neither did they count their lives dear to them, so that they might finish their course with joy. Their exclusive desire was that Christ should be magnified — and whether this was done by living or dying, they were equally satisfied.
Now the same command which was addressed to them — is addressed to us. And is the Saviour's authority less binding, and His claims less imperative upon us — than they were upon them? Are we to hesitate — when they were so decided? Are we to recede — when they advanced? Are we to be faint-hearted — when they waxed valiant for the fight, and went forth conquering and to conquer?
In order to be followers of them, as they were also of Christ, a spirit of self-denial is indispensable. The great Master did not please Himself — and by having the mind that was in Him, they clearly showed that they were His disciples, not in name only — but in deed and in truth. Alas! how great the disparity that exists between us and them — and especially between us and Him! "The best of us," as one observes, "have abundant cause to pray for a deeper baptism of His spirit.
Blessed Saviour! blessed pattern! how did You leave the delights of heaven and Your Father's bosom, on a mission of most generous mercy! Your love grudged no labour; Your eye refused no pity; Your ear was never shut against the story of distress; Your hand was always ready to relieve the sufferer. From Your cradle to Your grave — Your whole life was passed in daily acts of the loftiest self-denial. And, with the blood trickling down Your brow, and the heavy cross on Your lacerated back upon Your way to Calvary, to save the vilest wretches and the chief of sinners — You turn around to say to us — If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." Christian, listen to His voice, and comply with His injunction.
And remember for your encouragement, that such a course will be attended with the richest compensations. "Peter said to Him, 'We have left all we had to follow You!' 'I tell you the truth,' Jesus said to them, 'no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God — will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life!" Luke 18:28-30
Back to The Precepts of Jesus