Disciples Must Lose, But They Gain So Much More

It’s a tragedy of human nature that many disciples fear the loss associated with their commitment to following Jesus. We are tempted to hesitate and postpone full, devoted obedience to his teachings out of a misguided notion that by doing so it will somehow protect us from having to endure the unavoidable pain of sacrifice and surrender. We tell ourselves that loving the world more than we love our Lord is not really giving up anything at all, when in reality we are missing out on so much more. We must embrace the paradoxical truth that in order to truly gain what it means be a disciple of Christ, we must first take bold steps toward losing something else—ourself and all attachments beyond Him.

"And he was saying to them all, 'If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake, he is the one who will save it.'" (Luke 9:23-24)

Often when you think of a verse on discipleship, Luke 9:23 comes to mind. And why not? This verse provides a great synopsis of what it means to be a disciple. Jesus says right up front that we are to come after him. As a disciple, we are to follow Jesus in all our ways. Jesus then provides a one-two punch for what being one of his disciples actually entails. Jesus tells us that his disciple "must deny himself." This means that each person that comes after Jesus lays their self-identity down and picks up Jesus' identity. They will no longer be identified only by their preferences, style, dreams, or gifts. They will be identified as belonging to Jesus, covered by his blood. They no longer where the title of "sinner," but instead they are awarded the honor of "son," or "daughter" of God. This is good news. While laying down self seems negative, Jesus lets us know that if we belong to him, we can no longer be identified with the former way of life, the way of death. Jesus then takes it a step further and tells us that after denying self, the disciple must take up a cross and follow. See, Jesus is providing a progression of loss here. First, the disciple wishes to come after Jesus, but in order to do so, the would-be disciple must deny himself or herself. After this denial, we then take up the cross. What is significant about the cross? The cross is where we go to die. We are called to deny and then die. That is the only way to follow. Deny ourselves and die to our sin. But this is so utterly negative. Why would anyone want this type of life, this type of faith? It is here that verse 24 comes into play. You see verse 24 shows us the gains from the losses. In verse 24 we are shown the blessings that result from the following, denial, and death. All who are willing to lose their lives for the sake of Jesus will actually save it. Jesus is not talking to the potential martyr here, although that can apply.

More pointedly, Jesus is speaking to the person who is willing to lose their life in his life. When we give up self; when we die to self and are clothed in the armor of light, we are provided with a new identity, with a new pure purpose. The disciple's new identity is not tied to temporary eternal measures that affect one's view of self. The disciple's identity in Christ is tied directly to Christ, which is eternal and everlasting, never to be swayed or diminished. Secondly, we get a new identity in Christ and are provided a new purpose. In Christ, our purpose for living is no longer self-preservation or self-gratification. A disciple lives for the pleasure of his or her Lord. And in this pursuit of his pleasure, we are given eternal glory. Now that is a trade I don't mind making!

So, I want to encourage you and lift you up today. Yes, losing ourselves and giving up self is difficult. Trying to get gain from loss makes no sense in the normal world. But in God's economy, when we lose ourselves, we are found in Christ. When we die to ourselves, we are given a full life in Jesus. 

In His Grace, 

Pastor Brad