The Law in 90 Days: Deuteronomy 3-4
SCRIPTURE READING
John 19:17 (NIV); Carrying his own cross...
Earlier in the gospels, Jesus charged His disciples, that anyone who wanted to be worthy of Him
would have to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Him. The eternity of the soul, He
said, is of infinitely greater value than the accumulation of material things or selfish gains.
These words were no doubt challenging when first heard, but it wasn’t until Jesus was seen
labouring the path to Golgotha that they received their full weight. The call to take up their crosses
was no longer a metaphor for getting serious about their discipleship, it was a reality; their Rabbi
was willingly carrying His own torture device. In essence, He was telling them to follow Him at
all costs, even to the point of death. In a world that loves darkness, to put their hope and trust in
Him was grounds for martyrdom, yet God called them to selflessness and righteousness even in
injustice.
Amy Carmichael was once asked by a young woman considering the mission field “What is
missionary life like?” Amy responded, “Missionary life is simply a chance to die.” In this way we are
all called to the missionary life, to take up our cross and die. Of course not every believer has had
to walk to his physical death, but we are all called to die to our will, to die to our own desires for
the sake of Christ. What does long life matter if nothing is being done in His name? What do riches
acquire if we reap no eternal reward? What is friendship with the world if it betrays friendship with
God? Will you die to your will so that God’s will may be accomplished through you?
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. What will is God calling you to die to? (The need to be right? The desire for revenge? Etc.)
What pain does He ask you to bear for His sake? (Loneliness? Persecution? Injustice? Etc.)
2. Meditate on the example Jesus set in carrying His cross. Ask the Holy Spirit how you are to
be like Jesus today.
3. Ask for a filling of the Spirit in your life. Open your hands before Him and ask Him to fill you
with His Spirit so that your words and actions would flow out of God’s character.
