Luke 9:23
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
Scripture Insights
Once I asked a two-year-old I was babysitting to please brush her teeth before bed. She looked up at me with big, sad eyes and said, “I just did that yesterday!” I couldn’t help but laugh as I explained that, while it was good that she brushed her teeth yesterday, she’s got to do it today too!
As I consider the words of Jesus, I think of this sweet little two-year-old, who was flabbergasted that brushing her teeth was something to be done so often. Little did she know, tomorrow I would ask her to do it again. Likewise, Jesus asks us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus every single day. Following Jesus is not something we do every once in a while or only when we feel like it. Following Jesus is something we do daily.
The Christian practices of serving, forgiving, seeking justice, and giving grace are not optional, once-every-few-weeks types of practices; they are every-single-day practices. Just like brushing our teeth.
Today’s Prayer
Holy God, shape us and mold us to be people who follow after you every single day. Remind us daily of your presence, and give us the strength to devote our lives to looking more and more like you.
Prayer Journal Reflections
Reflect on becoming Christlike disciples in the church in Canada and the United States.
—Bethany Vierow Acre
Middle School Pastor, Central Church of the Nazarene
