Pastor Hank’s Blog: March 3

 

Dear HBIC Family,

 

I am always intrigued by how people answer, “What does it mean to follow Christ?” The answers are always interesting. Some might say, “…to share the gospel.” Others may attempt to take it further by answering, “…to live the gospel.” Some might say to seek first the kingdom of God and God’s righteousness. Others might try to go beyond that by saying, “…just seek and know and enjoy God.” Some might say to live by the Spirit. Others may say to submit and be transformed by the Spirit.

 

I have found that our answers to this question reveal where we are in our relationship and understanding with God and sometimes even our station in life. For example, how do you think that you would answer “what does it mean to follow Christ” ten years ago? How about five years ago? And how about today? Hopefully, our answers have progressed over our lifetime and journey with God. Hopefully, they reveal a deeper understanding of who God was, who God is and who God will be.

 

One answer to this question that may not easily come to mind or fall from our lips comes from Jesus in Matthew 16. After sharing with his disciples about his future suffering, death, and resurrection to come…Peter decides to rebuke the Lord. Never one to disguise his feelings or intent, Peter would not and could not see that Jesus the Messiah would die. Jesus’ response is firm as he reminds Peter that the concerns of God supersede any human concerns. And then, Jesus gifts us another answer to the question, one that we would do well to hold on to, especially in this season of Lent.

 

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Those are Jesus’ words to Peter, the rest of the disciples and to us today. As we walk with God and are led by the Spirit in this journey, we must commit to following Christ by denying ourselves and taking up our crosses to follow Jesus. Perhaps this has never been more important than in our age of so much excess, access and self-centeredness. Lent provides us a time to stop and listen to the Spirit, to stop and submit to God and to stop and remember we are to look like our Christ and not our world.

 

This week we will be continuing our Walking with God: A Journey Through Lent series by looking at this scene in Matthew 16 and focusing on self-denial and taking up our crosses to follow Christ our Lord and Savior. To prepare for this week’s service, I would like to invite you to read and meditate on Matthew 16:21-28. As you reflect, I would like to ask you to focus on the following questions:

 

 

I love that following Christ is a commitment that requires our entire being. We are called to have our thoughts transformed and renewed. We are called to give our bodies as a living sacrifice. We are called to use our gifts to further the kingdom of God and to bring honor to his name. Following Christ is not only affected by our place and station in life, but also by our willingness to daily commit, submit, and deny ourselves to take up our crosses.

 

Praise God for the example of Jesus that teaches us how to live to please God. Praise God for the Spirit that leads and guides us as we live to please God. And praise God for the faithful, sustaining and life-giving love of God available to us all.

 

God bless you all, and take care.