“Recently,” Stan began, “we’ve talked about the importance of single words in how Jesus described discipleship.”
“That’s right” I replied. “About whether discipleship is optional, whether it’s for everyone, and how it takes more than just wishing to be a disciple.” [See references at the end.]
“Thanks for remembering,” Stan replied with a smile. “While you may wonder how long we’re going to do this one word at a time, I’ve got another single word that Jesus mentioned about discipleship that I’ve found to be important for me and my faith walk.”
“What word is that?” I asked.
“Daily,” Stan replied.
“Daily? Daily what?”
“Luke’s gospel records that Jesus said we are to take up what He has for us to take up on a daily basis. It looks to me like ‘daily’ means every day.”
“Oh,” I replied, “like people are to be doing each day what God has for them in being disciples? Not just once in awhile, or whenever they happen to feel like it? Is that what you mean?”
“It is,” Stan replied, “and it’s not me who means it; Jesus said it and I think He means it!”
Continuing, he added “It’s kind of like the same thing that Jesus talked about when He was teaching His disciples how to pray.”
“What same thing?”
“He taught the disciples to pray to God the Father asking for their daily bread. Here it looks like Jesus is saying, in essence, ‘You’ve got your daily bread, now I have something for you to do for me on a daily basis: take up what I have for you to take up!’”
“That seems fair,” I replied. “God gives to us on a daily basis; we are do the same for Him. Daily goes both ways!”
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Bible verses to consider:
And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23.
Give us this day our daily bread. Matthew 6:11.
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. John 14:15.
And why do you call me, “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say?” Luke 6:46.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving me all I need. You have given me eternal salvation and every day you give me all I need for this life. In turn you ask me to take up each day what you have for me to take up for you and your kingdom. I confess that too often I don’t do that because that’s what I choose. Please forgive me for not doing what you have for me to do. Help me to follow every step of your lead so I do, in fact, take up each and every day all you have for me to take up for you and your kingdom. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you accepted God’s free and gracious provision of life eternally with Him? If no, why? What’s in the way? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, are you taking up what God has for you to take up for Him and His kingdom each day? Do you see that we can’t just ask Him for what we need each day without doing for Him each day what He has for us? If you sense the need for change, how is that going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?
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Note: See the postings for March 6, 2023 (Discipleship: Jesus said, “If;” does that mean a choice), March 8, 2023 (Discipleship: Jesus said “Anyone” — does that mean “Everyone”?), andMarch 10, 2023 (Discipleship: More than a wish?)
Waiting for the Train 