Nahum 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7 / Matthew 16:24-28
To want to become a Christian is a serious life-changing decision.
So all the requirements of being a Christian disciple must be made clear.
And a careful consideration is needed before making the decision.
In the gospel, Jesus says to His disciples, “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Why is Jesus saying this to His disciples when they were already following Him?
It could be that when those disciples initially followed Jesus, they were impressed by His teachings and the miracles that He worked.
Now that they had been following Him around, Jesus wants them to re-consider their intentions and motives in following Him.
Because they would be faced with a contradiction, if they had not faced it yet.
Because Jesus says, “For anyone who want to save his life will lose it, but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Essentially, that is the cost of discipleship if they want to continue being the disciples of Jesus.
The human tendency is to ask “What is there for me to gain from it?” before making a decision or commitment.
But Jesus is asking, “What then will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life?”
Jesus is also asking us those difficult questions, especially since we already call ourselves Christians.
But, we already have put our hands on the cross and there is no turning back.
Let us remember that whatever we give up or sacrifice for Jesus in this life can never be compared to the eternal glory that Jesus promised those who are faithful to Him.