Whoever Wants to be My Disciple....

Ever play "Follow the Leader" when you were a kid?  It may be the best example I can think of for following someone. You did your best to mimic each action of the leader. Think about it.

Want to be a disciple of Jesus? It about following...in fact Jesus tells us in Luke 9:23 what it takes to be his disciples.

He says three things are required:
1. Deny yourself
2. Take up your cross
3. Follow Jesus

Let's unpack these just a bit...
1. What is it to deny yourself?  This would be opposite of indulging yourself.  In other words you would not make choices based on your wants all the time....it would be more about other's needs. Remember when Jesus was tempted by Satan in the dessert?  He denied Himself each time and was obedient to the Father.
2.What is it to take up your cross?  The cross was the instrument of death that Jesus was subjected to.
He was obedient.... even to death on the cross.  We must have the same attitude as the one we follow...even to death.

3.What is it to follow Jesus? What are the best examples of following Jesus? Remember when Jesus asked different disciples to follow Him?
They drop everything and immediately followed Him. No holding back...security, power, treasure, comfort...they left these things behind...and so must we....

Let's be disciples of Jesus...Let's follow Him!