Mid-Week Devotional for August 26 2020

“Then Jesus told his disciples,
“If any want to become my followers,
let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
For those who want to save their life will lose it,
and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world
but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?
-Matthew 16:24-26

There seems to be a bit of a theme going on here! Last week was being a “living sacrifice” and this week we’re talking about giving up one’s life. Even though there’s some similiarity, I thought I would still focus on our Gospel reading because it encourages us to think about what we’re willing to risk for the sake of following Jesus. Now this is a recurring theme in our Gospels, and a message Jesus teaches again and again. He seeks to help his followers understand that following him is not meant to be easy. That there is a cost to discipleship. A cost to living life in the Way of Christ. A cost to living life so very differently from that of society. And as we know, in Jesus’ time, that cost included death. Jesus died because of what he did and taught. And the early Christian church faced persecution and death for following Jesus. But what does this really mean for us? In some parts of our world, people still die for their faith. But here in Canada, death is not a part of the cost of discipleship. We are able to practice our faith freely. Go to worship, share with our neighbours what we believe, read the Bible and more. But there are still costs to discipleship. There are times when we find ourselves standing alone when we hold true to our faith. Where our Christian beliefs clash with what is accepted by society, which can lead to the risk of losing friendships, or experiencing strain in family relationships. We can end up feeling very alone. Yet Christ calls on us to still take the risk. To do what Christ asks of us, even when it means going the unpopular route. Even when it means standing alone for doing what we believe Christ would have us do. Because when we do what Christ is calling us to do, the benefits outweigh the risks. Those who mourn are comforted. Those who live without peace, come to know peace. Those who do not know love find community. Those who need to know forgiveness find new life. Those who have no voice find themselves heard. So as Christ points out, even though we may lose some things for his sake, we gain so much more. Because when we go against our values, we can lose ourselves in the process. When we stay silent in the face of injustice, we sacrifice our neighbours for ourselves. Which is not the Way of Christ. So in saying yes to Christ, it means saying yes to risk. But a risk that leads to new life for all! So what ways is Christ calling you to discipleship? How can you find the courage to take risks in Christ’s name? Pray. Find the answer. Live it. In Christ’s name.

God Bless, Rev. Tara Ann

Devotional was written by Rev. Tara Ann Gourson, August 2020.