Later, John’s disciples came for his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what had happened.”
Matthew 14:12 NLT
While the Twelve were out in teams of two on their Galilean mission trip, something big was happening behind the scenes.
The Twelve were experiencing dynamic, supernatural ministry success.
Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!”
Matthew 10:7-8 NLT
I imagine that when they returned, there was great excitement.
Jesus had also told them they would face opposition. Persecution. Hardship. I’m sure they faced all that too. But maybe the euphoria of raising the dead outweighed the discouragement of rejection and Jesus’ message about hardship had been forgotten.
The news of the death of John the Baptist, a spiritual giant and personal hero to many of the disciples, would have rocked this group.
Jesus’ response, His sorrow and grief, His desire to be alone, would have sent a clear message. “Now is not a time to rejoice. Now is a time to weep. I told you persecution awaited us. Let John’s death be an example. The persecution I spoke of is not in theory only. It is real. It is intense. We must prepare our hearts and our minds.” Soon, Jesus will repeatedly tell the Twelve that He will be arrested, beaten and killed when they go to Jerusalem.
John the Baptist’s beheading was a permanent reminder to the disciples that radical obedience has a cost, and they would be asked to be willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of the call, even their very lives.
Deny yourself.
Take up your cross.
Follow Me.
John was the first to give up his life for the gospel.
Jesus would lay down His life.
Then Steven, and James.
One by one.
The Eleven. Paul. Martyrs throughout the ages.
It’s easy to say, “Christ, I would die for you.” Oh, but to mean it…
Dying for Christ begins with dying to self. Dying to self is an every day journey to the cross. I have to pick it up anew every morning. I lay it down when my head hits the pillow, if I haven’t already set it aside at some point earlier in the day, or stashed it away in a closet or the corner of the garage. Each day is a new choice. Each day is a fresh opportunity. Each day, I must search for that cross, pick it up, and die to myself all over again.
Today is all I have.
Yesterday is gone.
Tomorrow is not yet here.
Today. Pick up my cross.
Die to self. Live for Christ.
Today.
This blogpost originally appeared at: What will following Jesus cost me? – Sonlife and is based upon Sonlife’s study, Knowing Him / A 50 Day Study in the Life of Christ / Day 34