From the Shepherd's Heart...Friday, June 30, 2017

Do you know who Jesus is?  Most reading this blog would answer with an immediate "Yes." Some might even be offended with the question. But Jesus asked His disciples that question within six months of His crucifixion.  That was not a beginning, elementary question.  It was close to the "final exam."

But do we "really" know Jesus?  His nature? Who He is? Why He really came?

This Sunday morning I am beginning a mini-series through Luke 9, 10 and 14 looking at the issue of "The Disciple's Walk."  This Sunday is "The Disciple's Cross" because Jesus is going to tell His disciples the Christ that you know is one who will not be a political Messiah or a popular Messiah, but a dying Messiah.  He will be one who "must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed."  (Luke 9: 22).

Then, Jesus lays it out for His followers - those who will be His disciples.  "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."

What does it mean to bear our cross?  What does it mean to "deny ourselves?"  We'll talk about Sunday morning.  If you are in town, come and let's worship.