Monday, August 24, 2026

Scripture

“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’” Matthew 16:24

Reflections

There is an interesting phenomenon with monkeys.  If you put some food within a jar, a monkey is able to put his hand in the hole and grab the food, but once his hand grasps the food, he makes a fist and is not able to withdraw his hand through the hole.  As long as he holds onto the food, he is trapped.  If he were to let go of the food, freedom would come easily.

Each of us are given the opportunity of a lifetime, the opportunity to follow Jesus.  But there is a problem.  We cannot follow Jesus and cling to our self-serving ways at the same time.  If we are to be followers of Jesus, we must let go.  We must let go of our desire to live a life of being served.

When we do let go of our self-serving ways, we are freed to be used within God’s kingdom.  We discover something even greater, a life full of meaning, direction, purpose, and fulfillment.  We discover that great reward comes with great sacrifice.  “Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.” (Mt. 10:39)  That’s the life that is truly life.

Are there things we need to let go of in order to follow Jesus?

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for the invitation to follow you.  Help me to let go of my self-serving ways in order that I might live for you.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Full Reading: Matthew 16:21-28