CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 859

“Deny Yourself”

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)

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‘Do you love me?’ she asked her husband seated across from her at the breakfast table. ‘Of course I do — you know that I do’, he responded without taking his eyes off of the sports section of the newspaper. ‘How do I know that you love me?’ she pressed hoping to make eye contact. ‘Because I tell you that I do’ was his sharpened reply. ‘Oh, I guess that you do’ she sighed as she got up from the table. Her husband did not notice her leave.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” “…If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 13:34-35 & 14:15)

When we think of what it means to deny oneself our tendency is to have a mental picture of somber-faced Christians drearily trudging along through life carrying their ‘cross’ as they say ‘No’ to any pleasures in this world. We need to turn this image upside down and inside out. Denying yourself is more about saying ‘Yes’ as it is about saying ‘No’ and it is more about joy than it is sorrow. …do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.  (Nehemiah 8:10) At risk of over simplification, to deny oneself means to say ‘Yes’ to Jesus’ commandment to love as He loves.

To deny yourself and respond in love is sometimes as simple a matter of putting aside the newspaper, turning off the TV or other electronic device and engaging in a meaningful conversation and relationship with your spouse, family member, friend or acquaintance. Sometimes denying yourself is a bit more challenging as we are asked to say ‘Yes’ to Jesus’ commandment to forgive and respond in love to those who hurt us and are hateful to us.

Jesus asks us today just as He asked Peter, ‘Do you love me more than these?’ He is asking us if we have a divided heart with ‘these’ being defined as anything that would interfere with our following Him. He is asking, ‘Do you love Me more than your friends, relatives, money, job, food, drink and passions for things in this world?’ If we answer ‘Yes’ to Jesus’ question, the truth of our response is evidenced by our sacrificial, selfless loving behavior to our fellow man in His Name and to His glory. It is further evidenced by our uncompromising adherence to God’s greatest commandment to love Him and others. Our denial of self and love for Jesus is also evidenced by our unwavering commitment to say ‘Yes’ to His will and call to minister to people and in places that are far outside of our comfort zones. …Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done. (Luke 22:42b)

May the Holy Spirit open your heart to see Jesus’ call to self denial as a positive, joyous experience and journey in His presence and power. May He flood your soul with His love and grace as He uses you as His precious and sanctified chosen vessel to pour out the Living Water of His love in all the divine encounters He has planned for you as you take up your cross and follow Him.